Understanding Knowing and Learning

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will lead students to increase their understanding of various ways of knowing and learning while developing personal theories of learning and its enhancement. This will be achieved through exploration of a range of theoretical perspectives combined with practical application. Theoretical perspectives covered include those of Piaget, Skinner, Dewey, Vygotsky and others relevant to learning. Practical application will involve regular supported experience of tutoring others, primarily school students attending homework clubs.

The aim of this subject is to lead students to increase their understanding of learning and how to support their own learning and that of others. Students will :

• focus on examining questions such as : What is learning ? What is knowledge? How do people learn? How can I positively influence learning?
• build a repertoire of strategies designed to support learning; and
• develop their own philosophy of learning informed by various theoretical perspectives as well as their own practice.

• A 1500-word analytical description of the learning situation encountered through tutoring, due mid-semester (35%);
• A 2500-word essay stating a personal philosophy of learning informed by the theoretical perspectives covered in classes and the practical experience gained through tutoring, due the end of semester (65%).

Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

Phillips, D. C., & Soltis, J. F. (2009). Perspectives on Learning (5 th edn). New York: Teachers College Press.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

• describe the types of knowledge they are learning;
• develop a problem solving approach to the analysis of this knowledge;
• use this to analyse the knowledge they are learning; and
• communicate this understanding