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Putting Learning Theory into Practice

Why teachers should understand the science of learning and different perspectives in order to apply techniques to their classroom.

333 enrolled on this course

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  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    8 hours

Examine cognitive science, teaching skills and the importance of relationships

In this course, you will have the chance to explore the ways cognitive science impacts the classroom by identifying the qualities of effective practice, including: the importance of acquisition of knowledge; managing cognitive load; integrating new concepts with prior knowledge; ensuring pupil engagement with and use of new material; and getting the level of challenge right.

You will also have the opportunity to explore the alternative view, that given pupils’ innate ability to learn, we should concern ourselves with the power of storytelling and the importance of teacher-pupil relationships.

What topics will you cover?

  • Week 1: Cognitive Science and Teaching Skills
  • Why should teachers understand the science of learning?
  • Rating teacher activity
  • Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction
  • David Didau’s Learning Spy Blogs
  • The importance of factual knowledge
  • Cognitive load
  • Making memories
  • Integrating concepts with prior knowledge
  • Expertise developed through engagement and practice
  • Improving intelligence through experience
  • Remembering through forgetting
  • Getting the level of challenge right
  • Thinking – hard work for the clever
  • The joy of successful problem-solving vs unenjoyable learning
  • Week 2: The Power of Storytelling and the Teacher-Pupil Relationship
  • Whitehead’s Rhythm of Education
  • Our storytelling nature
  • Using facts to form hypotheses
  • Why do identical pedagogic techniques produce different results for different teachers?
  • The factors which govern teacher-pupil relationships
  • Modelling makes learning easier
  • Why teaching can be hard
  • Pedagogic implications for primary (instinctive) and secondary (culturally-received) learning
  • Abstract reasoning task
  • The role of social groups
  • Case study – Ian Wright and the importance of teacher Sydney Pigden

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Investigate the key qualities which make an outstanding lesson.
  • Understand why it’s important that teachers have some knowledge of the science behind learning.
  • Apply Hattie’s meta-analysis of teaching techniques to our understanding of what makes an outstanding lesson.
  • Investigate current research into cognitive science and its application to classroom practice.
  • Evaluate the impact of best practice on pupil outcomes.
  • Compare cognitive science approaches with alternative models of learning, such as Whitehead’s Rhythm of Education, the value of storytelling, etc.
  • Incorporate information about the different outcomes achieved by different teachers using the same technique into a model of teaching.
  • Apply learning about cognitive science to different teaching case studies.
  • Evaluate the differences between primary (instinctive) and secondary (culturally-received) learning.
  • Understand the importance of evolutionary psychology learning theories on classroom practice.
  • Investigate the links between teaching and learning content and educational leadership.

Who is the course for?

This course is for students of the MA Educational Leadership.

Who developed the course?

Coventry University

Coventry secured 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Online Learning in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and has received No. 1 in the world for Massive Open Online Courses in MoocLab’s World University Ranking 2021.

  • Established

    1992
  • Location

    Coventry

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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