PY1LAL: Learning about Learning

Module code: PY1LAL

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Philip Beaman, email: c.p.beaman@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aims of this module are for students to develop an understanding of learning and memory and be able to use this knowledge to reflect on their own learning. This will include fundamental findings about the nature of learning (e.g., classical and operant conditioning), the theoretical models that underpin these processes from a variety of different perspectives including developmental, biological, and cognitive approaches and concerns (e.g., childhood amnesia, critical learning periods, effects of different study types such as levels of processing, distributed vs. massed practice). Students will also learn to: i) reflect on and ii) apply this knowledge in the context of their own learning. 

The Module Lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Putri Nurain Shazana Megat Nadzruddin Feisal (p.megatnadzruddinfeisal@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe different types of learning and memory systems and the underlying biology of learning 
2. Describe how learning develops within an individual across the lifespan 
3. Describe and evaluate influential and current studies and theories of learning and memory covering different perspectives, including developmental, biological and cognitive. 
4. Reflect on and apply their knowledge in the context of their own learning 

Module content

This module provides an introduction to human and animal learning, including both a historical and contemporary perspective to develop students’ understanding of psychology as a discipline.The module will cover developmental, biological, and cognitive processes which support learning and memory, enabling students to reflect on the processes we use to plan, monitor, and evaluate our understanding and performance. Topics covered include: the theories of learning, animal models of learning, imitation and social learning, motivation, educational psychology, intelligence, memory systems, meta-cognition, and applying empirical evidence on learning to study techniques. It will cover early, influential studies and theories on human and animal learning (for example, studies conducted by Bandura on social learning, Pavlov on animal learning) as well as current research. The relevance of animal learning studies to human learning and cognition will also be discussed in classes on comparative cognition. This module is delivered at the University of Reading and the University of Reading Malaysia. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is taught via 20 one-hour lectures, 10 two-hour seminars, and supported by recommended reading. 

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 33 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

The seminars in Semester 1 will provide opportunities to practice reflective writing.  

Students will have the opportunity to gain formative feedback on a plan for a mock exam question. 

Reassessment

Additional costs