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EDU321Education2 Unitsintermediate

Psychology of Learning

This course, Psychology of Learning, is a two-credit unit foundation course designed for students in Teacher Education programmes. It introduces the concept of learning, human learning, and major learning theories. The course explores motivation, retention, transfer of learning, and factors affecting learning. It emphasizes the practical application of psychological principles in educational settings, providing a deeper understanding of the learning process and its implications for effective teaching.

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45h

Study Time

13

Weeks

3h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

Psychology of LearningLearning TheoriesMotivationRetentionTransfer of Learning

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Concept of Learning

2

Psychology of Learning

3

Factors Affecting Learning

4

Classical Conditioning

5

Operant Conditioning

6

Social Learning Theory

7

Motivation in Learning

8

Retention in Learning

9

Transfer of Learning

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (4 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

seminar paper

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Educational Psychologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Curriculum Developer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Training Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Instructional Designer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationTraining and DevelopmentHuman ResourcesCorporate TrainingSpecial Education

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Conceptual Clarification

1.5h

Unit 1: Concept of Learning and Learning Process

1.5 study hours

•Define learning and its attributes.
•Discuss the five stages of the learning process.
•Reflect on how this knowledge can guide you in helping learners adjust to the learning process.

Week

2

Module 1: Conceptual Clarification

1.5h

Unit 2: Study of Psychology of Learning and its Importance to the Teacher

1.5 study hours

•Define psychology.
•Discuss the need for the study of psychology of learning for teachers.
•Relate the principles of psychology to classroom teaching and learning.

Week

3

Module 1: Conceptual Clarification

2h

Unit 3: Factors Affecting Learning

2 study hours

•Discuss factors resident in the learner that can affect learning.
•Explain how factors resident in the teacher can affect learning.
•Discuss environmental factors that can affect the learner.

Week

4

Module 2: Theories of Learning and their Educational Implications

1.5h

Unit 4: Overview of Learning Theories

1.5 study hours

•Define learning theories.
•Classify the two major camps of learning theories and outline their basic assumptions.
•Understand the importance of learning theories in education.

Week

5

Module 2: Theories of Learning and their Educational Implications

2h

Unit 5: Pavlov's Theory of Classical Conditioning

2 study hours

•Explain the basic principles of classical conditioning theory.
•Discuss the classroom implications of classical conditioning theory.
•Apply classical conditioning principles to create a positive classroom environment.

Week

6

Module 2: Theories of Learning and their Educational Implications

2h

Unit 6: Thorndike's Theory of Connectionism

2 study hours

•Describe the basic tenets of Thorndike's theory of connectionism.
•Describe Thorndike's Laws of Learning.
•Enumerate classroom implications of Thorndike's theory.

Week

7

Module 2: Theories of Learning and their Educational Implications

2h

Unit 7: Skinner's Theory of Operant Conditioning

2 study hours

•Describe the basic principles of operant conditioning theory.
•Discuss the different forms of reinforcement and punishment.
•Explain the schedules of reinforcement.
•Discuss the classroom implications of operant conditioning theory.

Week

8

Module 2: Theories of Learning and their Educational Implications

1.5h

Unit 8: Applications of Operant Conditioning

1.5 study hours

•Describe aspects of human behaviour that operant conditioning affects.
•Distinguish between classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
•Explain key terms and concepts in classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Week

9

Module 2: Theories of Learning and their Educational Implications

2h

Unit 9: Bandura's Social Learning Theory

2 study hours

•Describe the basic principles of social learning theory.
•Explain the four basic processes involved in observational learning.
•Discuss the classroom implications of the social learning theory.

Week

10

Module 2: Theories of Learning and their Educational Implications

2h

Unit 10: Cognitive Fields Theory of Learning

2 study hours

•Describe the underlying principles of cognitive field theory of learning.
•Explain insight learning and its main features.
•Discuss the classroom implication of cognitive field theory of learning.

Week

11

Module 3: Permanency in Learning

1.5h

Unit 11: Motivation in Learning

1.5 study hours

•Define the concept of motivation.
•Distinguish between the two types of motivation.
•Explain Bruner's model of motivated behaviour.

Week

12

Module 3: Permanency in Learning

2h

Unit 12: Theories of Motivation in Learning

2 study hours

•Discuss major theories that describe motivation in learning.
•Discuss classroom implications of motivational theories and some strategies that can be used to help motivate learners.

Week

13

Module 3: Permanency in Learning

5h

Unit 14: Retention in Learning: Memory, Remembering and Forgetting

2.5 study hours

•Define memory.
•Discuss types of memory.
•Discuss different strategies of enhancing memory in students.
•Explain the causes of forgetting.
•Explain how a teacher can promote retention in the classroom.

Unit 13: Transfer of Learning

2.5 study hours

•Define transfer of learning.
•Differentiate between the different types of transfer of learning.
•Explain how transfer of learning occurs from the lens of major theories of transfer of learning.
•Discuss ways in which a teacher can foster positive transfer of learning among learners.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking learning theories (Units 4-10) to their classroom applications.

2

Practice applying motivational strategies (Units 11-12) to different student scenarios.

3

Review the factors affecting learning (Unit 3) and their implications for teaching.

4

Summarize the key differences between classical and operant conditioning (Units 5 & 7).

5

Focus on understanding the practical applications of each learning theory, not just the theoretical concepts.

6

Use real-life examples to illustrate the concepts of retention and transfer of learning (Units 13 & 14).

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