How People Learn: An Introduction to Cognition and Education

In recent years interactions between cognitive science and education have grown rapidly. Research in cognitive science is the source of many new and influential ideas about classroom learning, approaches to teaching, testing and assessment, and the potential of educational technologies. In this seminar we will read and discuss a selection of theoretical works from cognitive psychology and examine their practical applications to education. Since there is much distortion of the cognitive psychology literature in the popular education press, we will also learn how to evaluate claims about teaching methods and about learning. Each student will be required to give in-class presentations and to complete a final paper or project on one of the course topics. This course can be used in place of Educational Psychology for students seeking licensure and a pre-practicum can be arranged to accompany the course.