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Foundations of the Science of Learning (EDUC90872)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 (Early-Start) - Dual-Delivery |
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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
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: Minimum of 75% attendance at all tutorials, seminars and workshops. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Coordinator Sean Kang Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours (8 x 3 hour seminars over four Saturdays) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 (Early-Start) contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This subject has an enrolment quota of 85. Selection is automated and based on the order in which students enrol. Your enrolment in this subject guarantees a space unless you withdraw. If the subject is full, spaces may become available in the future as others withdraw. The only way to check this is by attempting to enrol. Please note that there are no waiting lists for this subject. As entry into this subject is based only on the order in which students enrol, special permission will not be offered to any students.
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