What is Learning Science

The environment focuses on creating conditions that motivate students to engage and improve. This course provides a brief overview of characteristics of environments that support deep learning, with more in-depth exploration in other program courses.

Retrieval emphasizes that accessing information from long-term memory leads to more enduring understanding. This involves two foundational concepts: purposeful practice (recognizing that not all practice is equally effective) and effective feedback (highlighting its central role for teachers).

This course explores how cognitive science explains human learning and memory, and its implications for designing effective instruction. The insights fall into three main categories: Encoding, Retrieval, and Environment.

Encoding focuses on how information and procedures are processed and stored in long-term memory. Key concepts include managing the learning load (how much people can process at once), making connections (associating new knowledge with existing knowledge), and deepening meaning (engaging with new information for long-term retention).

Traditionally, teachers asked 'What do I need to teach?' Understanding learning science shifts this to 'How do students learn?' A basic fluency in learning science principles is crucial for teachers in designing new experiences and adapting existing curriculums.

Learning science provides a useful lens for reflection and deconstruction of student learning, helping teachers modify lessons and continuously improve. It offers guidance on what to reflect upon for effective growth.

This introductory course aims to provide a solid foundation in how students learn and remember, establishing a common vocabulary for discussing learning. This knowledge will be explored more deeply throughout the program.