Bermuda College, Division
of Liberal Arts
Psychology 2270 01: Learning Theory
Fall 2019
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12:35 to 1:25
Hallet Hall H273
Lecturer: Dr. Jeremiah M. Faries
Office: West
Hall 316 Office hours tba
Phone: 236-9000 ext. 4266
email:
jfaries@college.bm
website: www.3dharbour.com/jmf
Prerequisite:
Psychology
1101/1102
Goals of the Course: The purpose of the course is to
provide an overview of the major developments in our understanding of the
factors that influence how people learn.
In this course we will cover some theories that explain learning at a
basic level such as the behaviourist theories of
classical conditioning as well as theories that explain higher order learning
of the kind that occurs in classrooms.
We will consider several complex theories of how new information is
stored in memory and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each
theory. We will also give some thought
to how motivation to learn interacts with our ability to learn and use
motivation as an explanation for some kinds of learning data.
Of course, most students are
learning at the same time we study these theories of learning so we will
consider how our knowledge of learning theories can improve our educational
environment. Your term project will be
an application of the theoretical knowledge offered in the course to a
realistic situation that requires learning.
Classes and Assignments: There
will be three classes each week. These
will be a combination of lecture and discussion format. I hope you will think critically about the
topics we cover and that you will feel free to raise questions and comment on
what you study. You will be required to
prepare and turn in a short weekly
assignment based on the readings for the week. The details of this weekly assignment are
outlined below. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I
RECEIVE THESE ASSIGNMENTS EACH MONDAY (unless I specify otherwise). You will also be preparing a research project
in the form of a written paper. You
should discuss potential topics with me as early in the term as possible so as
to allow time to do a thorough job. I
hope that you all can easily think of a topic of interest to you but if you
cannot please see me and we can discuss possible topics for you. In addition to submitting a research
paper, you will be presenting the product of your research to the class towards the
end of the term. There will also be a
midterm and a final exam. You are
expected to attend all lectures and complete all assignments and exams in timely
fashion. Should there be a problem with
those expectations please see me to arrange an alternative way to satisfy your
obligations. PLEASE CHECK YOUR COLLEGE ISSUED
EMAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS AS IT IS THE MOST RELIABLE WAY TO CONTACT YOU OUTSIDE
OF CLASS.
Textbook: Ormrod, J. E. (2016) Human Learning (7th Edition). Pearson. ISBN-10: 013357928 |
Grading: Grades
will be based on your term paper, a midterm and a final exam as well as your
short weekly assignment and participation.
|
15 %
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Weekly assignments / Class
participation
|
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30 %
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Term
Paper
|
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25 %
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Midterm Exam
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30 %
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Final Exam
|
(Please
remember that for your term paper the ideas should either be your own or you
should cite the person from whom you've borrowed the ideas. I will give you more details on what I expect
in a written paper later on in the course.)
Weekly Assignment: Due each Monday:
Each week we will read at least one chapter of the text plus
occasional supplementary materials. To
help prepare you for our tutorial discussion of the material I ask that you do
the following short assignment. This
assignment should not take much of your time as each point should only be a
sentence or two. PLEASE SUBMIT THESE
TO MOODLE ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY WE DISCUSS THE TOPIC IN CLASS.
1. Identify ONE major
claim and evaluate the kind of evidence used to support it?
2. Briefly describe one example from your
own experience or someone you know that
is
relevant for the topic in this chapter.
3. Identify one thing
you agree with about either the theories outlined or the
use of the evidence to support them? Be specific.
4. Identify one
thing you disagree with about either the theories outlined or the
use of the evidence to support them? Be specific
5. Identify at least
one thing that surprised you in this reading.
6. Ask one good
question about the chapter.
Psychology 2270 01, Learning Theory
SYLLABUS
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Date
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Topic
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Readings
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Aug
26
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Introduction
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Aug
28
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Overview
of Theories
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Chapter 1
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Aug 30
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What
can Psychology say about education and learning?
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Chapter 1
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Sep 2
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Labour Day, College
Closed
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Sep 4
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Classical Conditioning
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Ch 3 p 35-46
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Sep 6
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Classical Conditioning
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Ch 3 p 35-46
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Sep 9
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Operant
Conditioning Theory and Applications
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Ch 3 p
47-73
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Sep
11
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Operant
Conditioning Theory and Applications
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Ch 3 p
47-73
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Sep
13
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Operant
Conditioning Theory and Applications
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Ch 3 p
47-73
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Sep
16
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Punishment as Learning: the effects of
Aversive Stimuli
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Chapter 4
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Sep
18
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Punishment as Learning: the effects of
Aversive Stimuli
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Chapter 4
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Sep
20
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Punishment as Learning: the effects of
Aversive Stimuli
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Chapter 4
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Sep
23
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Social Cognitive Theory
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Chapter 5
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Sep
25
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Social Cognitive Theory
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Chapter 5
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Sep 27
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Social Cognitive Theory
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Chapter 5
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Sep
30
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Mid
Term Exam
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|
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Oct 2
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Cognitive Theories of Memory
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Chapter 6
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Oct 4
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Cognitive Theories of Memory
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Chapter 6
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Oct 7
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Cognitive Theories of Memory
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Chapter 7
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Oct 8
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Cognitive Theories of Memory
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Chapter 7
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Oct
11
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Cognitive Theories of Memory
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Chapter 7
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Oct
14
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Cognitive Theories of Memory
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Chapter 8
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Oct
16
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Cognitive Theories of Memory
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Chapter 8
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Oct 18
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First
Semester Break – College closed
|
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Oct
21
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Cognitive theories of Long Term Memory and
Forgetting
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Chapter 9
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Oct
23
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Cognitive theories of Long Term Memory and
Forgetting
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Chapter 9
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Oct
25
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Cognitive theories of Long Term Memory and
Forgetting
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Chapter 9
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Oct
28
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Social Proceses
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Chapter 11
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Oct 30
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Social Proceses
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Chapter 11
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Nov 1
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Social Proceses
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Chapter 11
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Nov 4
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Studying Strategies and Matacognition
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Chapter 12
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Nov 6
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Studying Strategies and Matacognition
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Chapter 12
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Nov 8
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Studying Strategies and Matacognition
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Chapter 12
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Nov
11
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Remembrance Day, College closed
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Nov
13
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Transfer and Problem Solving
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Chapter 13
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Nov 15
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Transfer and Problem Solving
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Chapter 13
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Nov
18
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Motivation, Emotions, and Learning
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Chapter 14,15
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Nov
20
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Motivation, Emotions, and Learning
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Chapter 14,15
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Nov
22
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Motivation, Emotions, and Learning
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Chapter 14,15
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Nov
25
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Motivation, Emotions, and Learning
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Chapter 14,15
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Nov
27
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Class Presentations
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Nov 29
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Class Presentations TERM
PAPER DUE
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Dec ??
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FINAL EXAM
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