APPLICATIONS OF LEARNING PSYCHOLOGY

The course aims to present contemporary theories of learning. Several aspects of learning will be described and analyzed: the mechanisms that regulate it, the cognitive processes involved, the metacognitive, motivational, and emotional aspects of it, as well as fundamental school learning and strategies used in studying.

Knowledge and understanding. Understanding of current theoretical, experimental, and applied developments in learning psychology. Adequate knowledge of the psychological mechanisms and processes that modulate learning, also in reference to advances in neuroscience. Adequate knowledge of fundamental school learning.

Applying knowledge and understanding. Ability to understand current theoretical, experimental, empirical, and applied developments of the discipline.

Making judgements. Ability to argue personal interpretations of the issues inherent to the study of learning.

Communication skills. Ability to present one's knowledge clearly and with proper language. Ability to communicate with specialists, using an appropriate psychological vocabulary and, at the same time, ability to communicate psychological concepts to non-specialists in a simple and correct way.

Learning skills. Ability to develop adequate learning skills that allow for continuous and autonomous updating of one's knowledge. Ability to consult specialized literature and use appropriate bibliographic and scientific resources to better define and develop one's study and research work.

Lectures. 

Knowledge of fundamentals of general and developmental psychology, and neurobiology. 

Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.

• Learning and adapting to the environment; features of human learning.
• The study of learning in newborns; neurobiological mechanisms of learning.
• Main cognitive processes involved in learning: attention, perception, memory, thinking, and intelligence.
• Metacognitive, motivational, and emotional processes involved in learning.
• Consolidation and the role of sleep in learning.
• Fundamental school learning: reading and comprehension of the text, writing, and mathematics. Neuroscience and education.
• Autonomous and strategic study.
• Children and students with special educational needs.

1. Cornoldi C., Meneghetti C., Moè A., Zamperlin C., “Processi cognitivi, motivazione e apprendimento” - Il Mulino 2018 (circa 240 pp.)
2. Dehaene S., “Imparare” - Raffaello Cortina Editore 2019 (Capitoli: Introduzione, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; circa 220 pp.) 

The assessment of learning takes place through an oral exam, with the option of an in-depth study chosen by the student.

Below are the evaluation criteria: a) relevance of the answers to the questions asked; b) quality of contents; c) ability to connect with other topics covered in the programme; d) ability to report examples; e) properties of technical language; f) overall expressive ability of the student.

The questions will focus on all topics covered in the course.

By way of example only, some sample questions are given below:

Sample question 1: describe what brain plasticity is.

Sample question 2: describe the role of attention in learning.

Sample question 3: describe how reading develops.