Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module EDUS2401: COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING IN THE SCHOOL YEARS

Department: EDUCATION [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

EDUS2401: COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING IN THE SCHOOL YEARS

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus, Stockton

Prerequisites

  • The Psychology of Childhood (EDUS1472).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • This module will encourage the study of children's learning and development in school years and the development of critical analysis of theories of learning.

Content

  • Indicative content: The focus of this module will be children's cognitive development and learning in the school years.
  • It will include a brief review and evaluation of major theories of learning and development covered in the first year.
  • In the field of language development this module will build upon studies of language in the early years covered in the first year module 'Cognitive and Perceptual Development in the Early Years' and will consider how language continues to develop in the school years.
  • Children who develop atypically and who present special needs in a school context will be a particular focus of this module.
  • This will include consideration of the diagnosis of special needs and intervention strategies to support children and families in school.
  • Other strands that form part of this module will include: organisation and development of memory in the school years.
  • the notion of 'intelligence'.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module the students will understand: the major theoretical explanations of language.
  • the organisation and development of memory.
  • models of intelligence.
  • individual differences in cognitive development.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • think critically and independently;
  • analyse, synthesise and evaluate primary and/or secondary data;
  • critically analyse literature on a variety of contemporary education issues;
  • construct and sustain a reasoned argument.
Key Skills:
  • communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively in a variety of ways;
  • work effectively, both independently and as part of a team, on given tasks and activities;
  • use Information and Communications Technology in a variety of ways;
  • manage time and work to deadlines.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module is taught using a lecture and seminar system. Students attend weekly lectures and fortnightly seminars. The lectures last 1 hour and seminars last 1 and a half hours.
  • The module is assessed by means of a 2,500 words essay that is worth 40% of the overall module mark and a exam at the end of term three worth 60% of total marks for the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 22 Weekly 2 hours 44
Seminars 11 Fortnightly 1 hour 22
Preparation and Reading 134
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
two-hour examination 100%
Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
2000 word assignment 100%

Formative Assessment:

Presentations and discussions in seminar groups


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University