Course Description
This course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of
learning theories and some general applications.
The course
will take a
historical/empirical approach and assist you with
understanding basic concepts of classical, instrumental, operant, and
cognitive learning.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to provide an overview of various
learning theories, with an emphasis on classical, operant, and
cognitive
approaches. Throughout the course, information will be provided that
encompasses classic experimental studies and
how that information is applied
in a variety of settings.
Other objectives:
To increase your writing proficiency
Learning Objectives
Learning objectives for
this class are included in the schedule section under each topic .
Required Texts:
Kline. Learning:
Principles
and Applications Most Recent Edition (8th) Sage Publishers
Optional Texts:
Malone, J.C. Theories of Learning:
A Historical Approach. Wadsworth Publishers
All texts can be obtained from the University
of Idaho Bookstore. They
can be contacted:
Grading/Evaluation/Proficiency
There will be several requirements for this
course.
Exams: There
will be three exams to examine and develop your knowledge of the
material. Each exam will be open book,
or open note. You can use any book or lecture information you wish to
help you. However, do not let the
format of the exams fool you.
These exams are difficult so be prepared. They will be opened
approximately four days prior to the due date.
I strongly suggest that you study as you would for a close book exam
and spend at least one to three hours per night to perform
well.
Make sure you know the material well BEFORE
taking the exam.
Total =
300 points
Discussion Topics:
During the course of the semester,
discussion topics in BBL will open for you to complete.
The times are noted in BBL. Each
topic is designed to stimulate your
thinking about a major learning topic and will be related to
area we are discussing. Again, each topic will be posted in
BBL so watch for them to open.
Extra Credit:
Option 1, Term Paper:
The Extra Credit term paper will be a literature review of any learning issue
or topic you find
interesting.
Topics may include
learning
disabilities,
research areas such as autoshaping,
or areas such as social learning. The paper must be
in
APA style,
and have a minimum
of 10
professional journal (paper or
electronic) or
book citations with no more than three
governmental internet sources.
General
websites do not count as a source, only professional
journals. The
use of
popular press articles can also be used but will not count toward
your citations. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA AS A SOURCE.
Each paper will be graded on APA format,
clarity, discussion of the topic area, reference quality,
and general approach to your presentation.
Once
completed, you will submit your paper through BBL. You should keep
a copy of the email for your records in case anything
disastrous happens
to mine.
Minimum length = 5 pages,
Maximum length = 7 pages
(Does not include the cover sheet or references).
Note: This
paper must be your own work. Using other students
papers, cutting and pasting material from the web without
giving the author credit, etc. is considered plagiarism will
will result in an "F" grade in the class.
A word to the wise
should be
sufficient.
Total = 30 points
Extra Credit:
Option 2, Topics I send out to you.
This is a second extra credit option.
Periodically, during the semester I will send you an assignment on a
topic related to Learning theory. It may be about the opiate
epidemic, childrearing, or something else. You will complete the
assignment and send it to me via BBL.
These topics will be different than the discussion items you
will complete.
Grading
Minimal grading will be based on the
following scale. However, I also examine
the class curve at the end of the class. Whichever is
better is the grade you will receive.
