Discovering Learning Sciences

The interdisciplinary approach of Learning Sciences studies the design and implementation of effective learning environment.

The course Discovering Learning Sciences we have designed to equip its participants with the orientation in the key theories and categories that enable to analyze the practice of learning. During the course we will discuss variety of theoretical perspectives on learning phenomena as they occur across a physical, social, and technological spaces. We will analyze empirical data from, but not only, Copernicus Science Center to explore the learning as it spontaneously occurs, changes and develops.

The interdisciplinary approach of Learning Sciences studies the design and implementation of effective learning environment. Discovering Learning Sciences we have designed to equip course participants with the orientation in the key theories and categories that enable to analyze the practice of learning. During the course we will discuss variety of theoretical perspectives on learning phenomena as they occur across a physical, social, and technological spaces.

We will analyze examples of various learning environment designs, discuss and research relations between students and teachers to understand categories like scaffolding. We will explore the phenomenon of collaborative learning and practices that foster effective learning. All these experiences will prepare participants to final project work: the analysis of the empirical data – video recordings – on human learning. Participants will be prepared to analyze empirical data from, but not only, Copernicus Science Center to explore the learning as it spontaneously occurs, changes and develops.

After the course participants:

• are familiar with the Learning Sciences as the interdisciplinary approach to studying the practice of learning;

• know how to analyze diverse learning environments to study its design and impact; are equipped with theoretical framework to compare different designs and learning practices;

• apply LS theories and categories to analyze the practice of learning; while working with empirical data they recognize roles, processes, relations and structures, and they are able to discover the learning environment design and impact

Learning activities and teaching methods

Discussions, field trips, video material analysis

The case study on learning analysis: students’ work in teams.

Attendance rules - Min. 80%

Academic honesty - Students must respect the principles of academic integrity. Cheating and plagiarism (including copying work from other students, internet or other sources) are serious violations that are punishable and instructors are required to report all cases to the administration.