How We Learn

Overview

Course No. 1691

Discover how your mind acquires, processes, and stores new information in this captivating course about the process of learning. Learning is a lifelong adventure, starting from the womb and continuing through every age. Whether mastering new skills, exploring unfamiliar places, or even sleeping, learning happens around the clock. However, many of us do not understand how we learn, which is essential for effective studying and skill acquisition.

In this series of 24 engaging lectures, designed by award-winning psychology expert Professor Pasupathi, you’ll uncover the workings of learning and dispel common myths. This course will provide actionable insights into how to excel in various learning situations, from mastering challenging material to fostering motivation in children and preserving learning aptitude as we age.

Course Structure

1. Myths about Learning (29 min)

• Explore ten common myths surrounding learning and their inaccuracies.

1. Why No Single Learning Theory Works (31 min)

• Discover the historical influences on learning theories and their limitations.

1. Learning as Information Processing (27 min)

• Investigate how information processing occurs and its impact on knowledge acquisition.

1. Creating Representations (30 min)

• Learn how to create mental representations of categories and events through purposeful action.

1. Categories, Rules, and Scripts (30 min)

• Understand how organizing experiences into categories aids knowledge acquisition.

1. What Babies Know (30 min)

• Examine the innate capabilities of babies in managing learning processes.

1. Learning Your Native Tongue (28 min)

• Delve into language acquisition and how children absorb their native languages.

1. Learning a Second Language (30 min)

• Explore the challenges of learning a second language and factors that influence success.

1. Learning How to Move (27 min)

• Analyze the key questions surrounding the acquisition of new motor skills.

1. Learning Our Way Around (28 min)

• Investigate how we develop cognitive maps for navigation in the environment.

1. Learning to Tell Stories (30 min)

• Discover how storytelling helps connect with others and narrate experiences.

1. Learning Approaches in Math and Science (31 min)

• Survey teaching approaches that work best for mastering math and science concepts.

1. Learning as Theory Testing (31 min)

• Examine the importance of theory testing in developing critical thinking skills.

1. Integrating Different Domains of Learning (29 min)

• Focus on common factors in various learning scenarios and their impact.

1. Cognitive Constraints on Learning (30 min)

• Explore constraints like attention and working memory that affect learning.

1. Choosing Learning Strategies (27 min)

• Learn how to monitor progress and choose effective learning strategies.

1. Source Knowledge and Learning (30 min)

• Understand the significance of knowing the source of information.

1. The Role of Emotion in Learning (29 min)

• Investigate how emotions influence learning outcomes and success.

1. Cultivating a Desire to Learn (29 min)

• Discover how to foster intrinsic motivation that supports learning.

1. Intelligence and Learning (30 min)

• Explore the relationship between IQ and learning Ability.

1. Are Learning Styles Real? (28 min)

• Analyze the debate over learning styles and their impact on education.

1. Different People, Different Interests (28 min)

• Trace the origins of different interests and their role in learning.

1. Learning across the Lifespan (29 min)

• Explore how age influences learning strategies and abilities.

1. Making the Most of How We Learn (31 min)

• Review best practices in learning and reflect on key concepts explored throughout the course.