Theoretical Foundations of Learning Sciences 1

The field of Learning Sciences concerns two interrelated questions: How do people learn? How can we support learning? The first part of the course will provide students an overview of some of the major theoretical perspectives that have been employed to describe how learning works, such as the different metaphors of learning, preparation for future learning, collaborative learning, conceptual change and misconceptions. Through assigned readings, discussions and design tasks and projects, students are expected to become competent in understanding cognitive and social perspectives on learning and learning environment design, with a focus on human interaction with novel learning technologies and authentic practices for learners. Exposure to seminal literature in the field is expected to lay the theoretical foundation for students to develop new lines of inquiry within the Learning Sciences.