Introduction to Learning Sciences

This course introduces the content and skills needed to thrive as systematic designers of learningexperiences, environments, and technologies. It focuses on four themes: (i) how people learn cognitive processes involved in learning and social, cultural, physical, affective, and otherprocesses that work alongside those to influence what is learned; (ii) how to foster or promotelearning -- what we know about the help learners need to engage and participate at their best andultimately to become more knowledgeable and capable; (iii) designing for learners andanalyzing those designs -- how to apply what you are learning to the design and analysis oflearning experiences, environments, and technologies; and (iv) integrating learning technologiesto provide support for learning -- imagining the roles they might play and the functions they needto have to play those roles well. Examples come from across disciplines, developmental stages oflife, a variety of learning venues. It sets students up to know what they need to learn more deeplyto become masterful designers of learning experiences.