Our brains are not static; they change with every experience in a process we call learning.  Learning happens every waking moment (and in non-waking moments, according to some research) of every day of our lives.  It is what allows us to recognize traffic patterns in our daily commute and adjust our timing and routes accordingly.  Learning allows us to adjust to living with others in family, work, and social groups.  Learning allows us to develop and build a professional career.  Learning allows us to acquire language and the thousands of other skills of daily life.  Learning is also at the core of our profession as educators.  Our job is to help the next generation learn as efficiently and successfully as possible.  The success of our society and the survival of our species may depend on how well we do.  Learning as much as we can about learning is a professional responsibility.

EDU 295: The Science of Learning is a three-credit, twelve-week online course designed for VCCS faculty professional development. The course teaches current empirical research about the conditions that promote effective learning, and the neurocognitive theory that attempts to explain learning. 

In this course, you will study learning from three perspectives:

• The empirical evidence - What conditions have been shown to affect learning most reliably? How does this support or conflict with common beliefs and practices? What are the limits of current knowledge?
  
  
• A theory of learning - What does neurocognitive theory, the most extensive and research-supported learning theory, say about learning? Can it explain the empirical findings? What gaps are there? What predictions does the theory suggest?
  
  
• Application to teaching - What are the implications of learning theory and empirical research for teaching? How would you integrate research and theory into your personal teaching philosophy?

This course provides a foundation for EDU 285, which addresses the roles and tasks of the online teacher, and EDU 287, which teaches the design of online courses. The content of this course also applies to classroom teaching.

Schedule

This is a three-credit course compressed into twelve weeks; expect to spend 9 - 14 hours (between one and two days) a week on course work. Assignments are completed on a weekly schedule.

EDU 295 is offered each Fall and Spring semester.

Prerequisites

This course is for VCCS teaching faculty only.

You are expected to have the following technology competencies before taking this course:

• Training or experience in the use of Blackboard instructor tools for presentation, interaction, and assessment. Reference the list of requisite Blackboard competencies to check to make sure you meet this prerequisite. 
• Ability to use the Internet in an effective and efficient manner, including installation and management of browser plug-ins.
• Basic knowledge about the operation of a computer, file management, and software installation.

Registration

Registration is restricted, so you cannot self-register.  You must send a registration request to the ELI Registrar. The procedure differs depending on how you will pay for the course. Free tuition is available for full-time NOVA faculty and for adjunct NOVA faculty who have taught at least two semesters and will teach the semester they take EDU 295.

How to register if your are paying the tuition yourself

1. Apply for admission to NOVA as a student (http://www.nvcc.edu/admissions/apply/index.html).
2. After you are admitted, send your NOVA student id and request for registration in EDU 295 to Jayne Townend, ELI Registrar (jtownend@nvcc.edu, 703-323-3523).
3. Pay your tuition as soon as you are registered.

How to register if you are requesting free tuition (NOVA faculty only)

1. Confirm that you qualify for free tuition by consulting NOVA’s tuition assistance policy:
   NOVA web site > Faculty & Staff > Human Resources > Professional Development > Faculty Tuition Assistance Policy.
2. Submit an Employee Educational Assistance Request form (Form 105-43) to HR.
3. Apply for admission to NOVA as a student (http://www.nvcc.edu/admissions/apply/index.html).
4. After you are admitted, send your request for registration in EDU 295, your NOVA student id, and a copy of your HR-approved Form 105-43 to Jayne Townend, ELI Registrar (jtownend@nvcc.edu, 703-323-352

Graduate credit is not currently available.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe empirical research findings about learning.
2. Explain neurocognitive theory about learning.
3. Construct or refine a teaching philosophy that is consistent with current research and theory on learning.
4. Apply a teaching philosophy consistent with current learning research and theory to make instructional decisions.

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

Your final grade may be based on the following scale. Note that you must complete all assignments and earn a minimum 80% to receive a VCCS certificate of completion.

Exams will be taken at home using a secure browser.

Last Updated: March 24, 2016