The science of learning is an interdisciplinary body of knowledge that helps us understand the cognitive and social processes that result in the most effective learning.

 

The Academy’s Science of Learning programme developed by Rohan Roberts focuses on existing cognitive-science research about how students learn and connects it to practical implications for educators and learners. 

 

The aim is to ensure that all learners and educators have a basic working understanding of the cognitive-science principles of Learning and should be able to connect those principles to their practical implications for the classroom. 

 

More specifically, the focus of this programme is: 

 

• To highlight how learning is consolidated in the brain

• To identify how memory works and how new information is retained in the brain.

• To improve motivation to learn and increase real-world application of learning

• To enhance the metacognitive skills of students and help them learn how to learn

• To identify common myths and misconceptions about learning

 

Course Outcomes

 

• Develop a deeper awareness of the current scientific research about learning

• Have an understanding of the practical implications of the science of learning in the classroom

• Employ science-based pedagogy in the classroom

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Overview of Modules:

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Module 1: THE HUMAN BRAIN: How Information is Processed

• Why focus on the Science of Learning?

• Learning is the processing of information from working memory to long-term memory.

• Students learn new ideas by reference to ideas they already know.

 

Module 2: MEMORY: Learning and Consolidating New Material

• Information Processing in the brain.

• Sensory memory. Working memory. Long-term memory.

• Encoding and Retrieval

 

Module 3: RESILIENCE AND GROWTH MINDSET: Growing from prior experience and Learning from Past Mistakes

• Importance of praise and effective feedback

• Importance of stepped difficulty level

• Role of effort and practice

 

Module 4: SELF-REGULATION AND  METACOGNITION: Explicitly Thinking about Thinking

• Role of choice

• Importance of goal-setting

• Importance of self-reflection

 

Module 5: REAL WORLD APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE: Making Learning Relevant

• Developing independent learners

• What motivates students to learn?

• Self-monitoring

• Learning by teaching

 

Module 6: FINDINGS FROM NEUROSCIENCE: Facts, Myths and Misconceptions about Learning

• Importance of sleep

• How to reduce stress

• Role of movement and physical exercise

• Overcoming thinking biases

• Neuromyths: myths about learning and the brain