Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module EDUC1471: LEARNING AND TEACHING

Department: Education

EDUC1471: LEARNING AND TEACHING

Type Open Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To study the psychology of teaching and learning.

Content

  • By focusing on a range of key cognitive skills and identifying how they develop during the school years and adulthood the notion of continued change in learning is introduced.
  • In particular the module will consider those cognitive skills which have been identified as important to the ability to learn.
  • The module will also consider both typical and atypical development as well as highlighting cultural and societal factors which will impact on the ability to acquire these cognitive skills.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • In terms of knowledge and understanding, students will be able to demonstrate: an understanding and extensive knowledge of a range of cognitive skills which develop during the school years and beyond.
  • be able to identify and discuss a range of factors which might influence the ways in which these skills are developed and the implications for education.
  • students will develop an understanding of, and be able to evaluate and reflect on, their own learning experience.
  • students will develop their understandings of how theories of child development and learning are related.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • the analysis of complex situations concerning human learning and development in particular contexts, including their own learning;
  • provision of well argued conclusions relating to significant educational issues; Students should be able to demonstrate an ability:
  • to reflect on their own value systems and development;
  • to question concepts and theories encountered in their studies of education;
  • to interrogate the assumptions underpinning theory and research.
Key Skills:
  • think critically and independently;
  • analyse, synthesise, evaluate and identify problems and solutions;
  • acquire complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way;
  • construct and sustain a reasoned argument;
  • communicate effectively with appropriate use of specialist vocabulary;
  • use ICT and a variety of library and IT resources;
  • improve their own learning and performance, including the development of study and research skills, information retrieval, and a capacity to plan and manage learning, and to reflect on their own learning;
  • work to deadlines.

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

  • Students will be introduced to a range of psychological theories relating to the development of cognitive skills and abilities, learning and teaching through a lecture and tutorial group work programme in which students will not only listen to formal lectures but be expected to engage in debate and reflection through group work exercises during the tutorial sessions.
  • Students will further develop their knowledge and understanding, apply and reflect on ideas and demonstrate key skills through a summative piece of assessment that requires them to critically evaluate ideas about cognitive development, teaching and learning in relation to their own learning experiences and their specific subject knowledge.
  • Students will also be required to produce formative work which requires them to demonstrate their understanding of the interrelationships between the topics covered in the module.
  • The students will also be examined formally at the end of the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 22 Weekly 1 hour 22
Seminars 11 Fortnightly 1 hour 11
Preparation and Reading 167
Total 200

Summative Assessment

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

Formative Assessment:

Oral presentations to be given during student led tutorials. Also short written assignment to be handed in a the end of first term.


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