Applied Psychology - GCAP 641
Learning Processes
Overview
The field of learning is dynamic and ever-changing. Significant advances in theory, research, and practice continue to evolve in the field of learning. There is considerable interest in exploring advances in learning among educators and professionals in fields such as counselling, health, medicine, and athletics. Practitioners in numerous educational and clinical settings look to learning theories and principles to assist in the development of meaningful experiences for an increasingly diverse population.
This course will identify and discuss the essential features of the major theories of learning and present current research in each area of learning. Students will discover how learning theory is related to their own learning and behaviour and how it can be used to understand the behaviour of others. There will be opportunities to apply learning theories in case study situations and explore the practical implications of learning theory in educational and counselling settings.
- Method of Delivery: Paced study; Online
- Credit Weight / Area of Study: 3 credits - Graduate Studies
- Prerequisite: None
Outline
The course is divided into 13 weekly lessons, structured as follows:
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Learning; Perspectives on Learning
- Lesson 2: Neurophysiology of Learning
- Lesson 3: Classical Conditioning / Operant Conditioning
- Lesson 4: Cognitive Perspective
- Lesson 5: Constructivism/Humanism Themes in Learning
- Lesson 6: Comprehension, Knowledge, and Metacognition
- Lesson 7: Complex Learning Processes
- Lesson 8: Learning Through Social Interaction
- Lesson 9: Motivation and Self-Regulation
- Lesson 10: Integration of Learning, Physiology, and Behaviour Special Topics
- Lesson 11: Individual Differences in Learning
- Lesson 12: Lifelong Learning
- Lesson 13: Learning and Counselling Practice
Evaluation
To receive credit for GCAP 641, students must submit all of the course assignments. The passing grade for the course is 70%. The assessment structure for GCAP 641: Learning Processes is based on the following course activities, with the percentage weighting of each activity as indicated. Your final grade for the course will be a composite mark based on your performance in these course activities.
Course Activity Weight Participation in Online Discussions 20% Assignment 1: Learning Theory Presentation 25% Assignment 2: Individual Project 30% Assignment 3: Personal Competencies Paper 25% Total 100%
Academic Accommodation Policy
Students with a disability, who require academic accommodation, need to register with the Access to Students with Disabilities Centre at Athabasca University. Notification of the need for academic accommodation must normally be provided to the program office no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the first day of class. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Disability Centre to request academic accommodation if required and to notify the instructor that such accommodation has been requested. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate individual student needs. However, because GCAP courses are paced, all student are required to participate weekly in the online discussion forums. There are also several courses where online exams are required.
Page last updated: November 30, 2009 @ 09:48:38 AM
