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Foundations of the Science of Learning (EDUC90872)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will explore the philosophical, theoretical, and practical foundations of the emerging field of The Science of Learning (with a particular focus on Educational Neuroscience). The focus of this subject will be how an understanding of the mechanisms of learning can meaningfully inform and improve pedagogical practice and learning outcomes. This subject will provide students with a broad understanding of the scientific method, the importance of neurophilosophy, an appreciation of the important brain/mind question in education, and the tenets of a successful educational philosophy. More generally, students will also learn scientific principles, and so be equipped with the skills to scientifically evaluate the validity of educational, psychological and neuroscientific arguments.
Specifically, the subject will explore the following:
- Essential concepts of scientific methods;
- neuroimaging and brain research;
- neuroscience as it applies to human learning;
- neurophilosophy and the brain/mind problem;
- theoretical and philosophical implications of science of learning, particularly the neuroscience of learning and teaching philosophies
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Understand and effectively evaluate educational psychological, and neuroscientific literature relevant to learning;
- Understand essential concepts in neuroscience, including brain structure and function, neural correlates of learning, and cognitive development;
- Understand the scientific method in order to empirically evaluate effective learning interventions;
- Understand educational, psychological, and neuroscientific research, particularly in the social, emotional, and interpersonal domains.
Generic skills
Through completing this subject, graduates will develop the following set of key transferable skills:
- Critical/Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving (the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature from a number of academic domains).
- Communication Skills (the ability to develop and present an educationally relevant evaluation).
- Self-Awareness (will reflect on and consider personal theories and beliefs on teaching, learning, and practice).
- Planning & Written Communication
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Essay on Teaching Philosophy
| Mid semester | 20% |
Essay on Neuro-Informed Educational Products
| End of semester | 60% |
Individual Presentation (1,000 words)
| End of semester | 20% |
Hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance at all scheduled tutorials, seminars and workshops. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Sean Kang Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Participants will be provided with a collection of readings via the online Learning Management System (LMS).
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Professional Certificate in Educational Neuroscience - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 10 February 2024