Course Descriptions

HDSP 451		Topics: Intro to Research Methods
LRN_SCI 401		Cognition and Learning Examines the content and structure of memory and the cognitive processes whereby information is acquired and manipulated in a range of cognitive tasks from remembering to problem solving. Includes attention to educational applications of cognitive learning principles.
LRN_SCI 402		Social Dimensions of Teaching and Learning Students' relationships with one another and with teachers in school and non-school settings. Implications for classroom instruction of social learning theory, student diversity, classroom climate, cooperative and competitive goal structures, and the processes of attribution and achievement motivation.
LRN_SCI 403		Learning in Context: Cognitive Science Foundations of the Learning Sciences Cognitive and social science theories of how people learn to understand, reason and solve problems. Implications for the design of classroom learning environments; learning in real scenarios for investigating central issues in cognitive science.  Learning in mathematics, science, reading/writing and informal reasoning.
LRN_SCI 425		Introduction to Design for the Learning Sciences: Designing Educational Experiences Building the skills and knowledge necessary to support the design of educational experiences.  Exploration of general design principles and learning sciences theoretical perspectives through examination of existing cases of instructional design, and a design project focused on conducting a needs analysis, specifying learning objectives, and designing a new educational experience.
LRN_SCI 426		Designing Technological Tools for Thinking and Learning Constructionist approach to Design.  Participants discuss learning design literature, critique software, and design and build computer-based learning environment (CBLE).  Student LE designs can include microworlds, goal-based scenarios, games, robots, complex systems models among many others working primarily in Logo, NetLogo and NetLogoLab.
LRN_SCI 426		Constructionist Approaches to the Design of Learning Environments
LRN_SCI 427		Teaching and Design of Learning Environments An introduction to issues in the design, enactment, and study of innovative classroom-based learning environments; focus on teachers' and administrators' work as acts of  design.
LRN_SCI 428		Introduction to Research Methods Techniques and methods used to analyze data obtained from the observations of teacher-learner interactions in an educational setting.
LRN_SCI 429		Design of Learning Environments Issues in designing and studying innovative learning environments. New models of classroom interaction, particularly using technology to enable new cognitive and social roles for students. Topics include simulations, tutors, computer-mediated communication and project-based learning approaches. Theoretical motivations in cognitive and social interaction learning theories, empirical studies evaluating their effectiveness and prospects for propagation of such innovations.
LRN_SCI 434		Teacher Thinking and Learning Recent research on teacher cognition, how teacher knowledge is organized and accessed and relationship between knowledge and practices. Investigate novice and veteran teachers learning.
LRN_SCI 435		New Approaches in Science Teaching: Theory and Practice Issues in science education research and practice, including inquiry-based learning, conceptual change and educational technology. Hands-on experience with curriculum, technology and activity design.
LRN_SCI 438		Teaching with Technology Conceptual strategies for integrating technology into effective pedagogy and practical strateties for employing technology in classrooms.  Includes hands-on experience with technology and a design project. Visit course web site.
LRN_SCI 451		Topics in Learning Sciences , Current research topics in the learning sciences. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with change in topic.
LRN_SCI 451 sec 21		Learn Sci Topics Chicago Curr & School Reform
LRN_SCI 451 sec 25		LS Journal Club
LRN_SCI 452		Constructionist Learning Close reading of constructionist sources and of sources that have had significant impact on constructionist thought.
LRN_SCI 463		Topics in Research Methods Methodological approaches to research on learning-teaching environment implementation. Methods for examining processes of change and adoption of educational interventions in various settings.
LRN_SCI 477		Philosophical and Historical Foundations of Educational Technologies Examines how different influential root metaphors for the learner, knowledge and learning processes become embodied in educational technologies, and how the sociocultural context of their design and use influences their appropriation or rejection.