PSX_513 Strategies for effective learning

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2017
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Tatiana Malatincová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Pavel Humpolíček, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 15:50–17:25 U25
Prerequisites
Students' proficiency in English must be sufficient to be able to follow lectures, participate in classroom discussions, and study textbooks and academic texts in English.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 130 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/130, only registered: 0/130, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/130
Course objectives
The course offers a practical overview of theories and findings in psychology that might help any learner find their best way to get the most from their learning experience. Throughout the course, the student will be introduced to the principles of goal-directed learning and will try out specific goal-focused and motivation-enhancing strategies to help them study more effectively.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will know how memory works, how information is processed in goal-directed behaviour, and how active goals affect the ways we perceive, remember and access new knowledge. They will gain insight into the habits, goals and implicit beliefs that direct their own studying experience, and undestand better what impact these stable structures have on their learning behaviour and outcomes. They will also learn about different strategies of improving memory, shifting focus to more effective goals in their studying (i.e. developing knowledge and competence rather than simply passing an exam) and making studying more enjoyable and varied.
Syllabus
  • 1. Cognitive processing and goal-directed behaviour: Why and how does our brain learn? What do we remember and what do we forget? How do we access what we have learned?
  • 2. Competing motivations in learning: Mastery v. performance goals. Promotion v. prevention goals. Mindsets. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Introjected and autonomous regulation. Consequences of goal conflict. Why do students always end up learning the necessary minimum for passing a test?
  • 3. Reducing conflict and making step-by-step progress: Making clear-cut decisions. Entering and maintaining implementational mindset. Finding structure. Monitoring progress. Obtaining feedback. Identifying and responding to one’s own needs.
  • 4. Self-motivation: Finding ways to boost inspiration. Finding ways to enhance positive structure and obtain feedback. Finding and removing aversive stimuli and triggers of stress associated with studying.
  • 5.-6. Enhancing one’s own learning experience: Studying as enquiry. Creating study materials.
Literature
  • Dembo, M. H. (2004). Motivation and learning strategies for college success: A self-management approach. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  • Van Blerkom, D. L. (2009). College study skills: Becoming a strategic learner, 6th ed. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
  • Price, G., & Maier, P. (2007). Effective study skills. Pearson.
  • Moore, S., et al. (2010). The ultimate study skills handbook. Open University Press.
Teaching methods
Lectures, classroom discussions, and homework assignments based on the application of the dicussed material on students' own functioning. Materials and supporting exercises will be provided through an e-learning support course in the ELF.
Assessment methods
Throughout the semester, students are expected to complete regular course assignments (homework and quizzes) in time. The final colloquium has the form of a discussion in small groups. Students are required to write a reflection on the topics they want to discuss during the colloquium (e.g. their own specific study problems, attempts to implement various learning strategies, barriers that might have prevented them from using the strategies effectively, etc.). At least 50% attendance is required for passing the course.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Only for english speaking students.
Teacher's information
https://elf.phil.muni.cz/elf3/course/view.php?id=3516
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2017, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2017/PSX_513