Science of Learning

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to the field of cognitive and learning sciences. It provides an integrative approach to how we learn and remember with particular emphases on the scientific approach to the concepts and application of the theory to education. Learning science is an interdisciplinary field that examines learning from many perspectives and applies the knowledge gained from such studies to improving learning, instruction, and learning environments. This field draws upon contributions from areas of psychology (cognitive, developmental, educational and biological psychology), neuroscience, computer science, as well as sociology and anthropology. Learning scientists use a scientific approach to understand learning, those who do the learning, and the context in which learning occurs. Many learning scientists also seek to apply this information to improve the learning environment, educational practices, and inform educational policies. In this course, students will learn the foundations of learning theory, the important neurological bases of learning, and current information on relevant aspects of cognition, Material will demonstrate the application of this information to educational settings. Course content will be presented in lectures, readings, activities, and demonstrations. As a science-based laboratory course, students will study the scientific method and complete a series of laboratory exercises. This course is designed for primarily for education and psychology majors. It will fulfill the laboratory requirement for education majors. For psychology majors at at Penn State Erie it may fulfill category 3. cognitive/experimental or be applied to the Science Option in the BS Major, it may fulfill Category B. developmental, cognitive, learning at Berks Lehigh Valley college and the Commonwealth College. It may be used to fulfill the Social Behavior sciences requirements. Evaluation will be through examinations, laboratory reports, and additional activity assignments. This course will be offered once a year at Penn State Erie. As a laboratory course, sections will be capped at 25.