This course incorporates insights from General Psychology, Neuroscience, and Education.

During the course we will explore the mental abilities (thought, decision, reasoning, knowledge representation) underlying learning processes; the cognitive resources that underlie these processes; the role played by individual factors such as emotional and motivational components in influencing learning.

The main objective of the current course is promoting knowledge about the mutlifaceted cognitive factors that underlie learning.

The program is divided into three parts, addressing the following topics:

Part 1: Experimental methodology in Psychology

Topic 1: Research methods in Psychology

Topic 2: Cognitive Models and architectures in Psychology

Part 2: Basic cognitive processes

Topic 1: Thought, reasoning, decision

Topic 2: Memory

Topic 3: Attention and Executive Functions

Topic 4: Automatic and controlled processes

Part 3: Learning

Topic 1: Metacognition: learning strategies and individual differences

Topic 2: Cognitive processes underlying reading and writing 

Topic 3: Motivation and emotions in the regulation of learning

None.

Knowledge and understanding: The student will master an adequate knowledge of the most basic processes underlying learning process.

Applying knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to understand which cognitive functions are involved in the learning processes.

Making judgments: The student must be able to critically evaluate the scientific articles presented during the course and to apply the notions learned by preparing theoretically motivated learning methods;

Communication skills: The student will have to acquire a specific language, in order to be able to describe the basic cognitive and psychological constructs inolved in learning;

Learning skills: The student will have to demonstrate autonomy in reading the materials related to scientific research in the field of cognitive psychology of learning and in critically understanding the mental processes described.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Slides and additional materials (video) will be made available through the moodle platform.

Teaching

Classes of 2 hours.

Attendance

Attendance is optional but is highly recommended.

Course books

Required Reading:

Amoretti, G., Morra, S., Usai, M.C., Viterbori, P. (2020).  Processi cognitivi e apprendimento scolastico. Roma: Carocci Editore. (tutti i capitoli)

Crepaldi, D. (2020). Neuropsicologia della lettura. Roma: Carocci Editore.

Suggested Reading:

Valenza, E., Turati, C. (2019). Promuovere lo sviluppo della mente. Un approccio neurocostruttivista. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Assessment

A written test consisting of two short open questions and a more detailed, longer open question. Additionally, students will have to create a multimedia project work (e.g. conceptual map) referring to one of the areas of cognitive functioning addressed during the course. The project work be presented to all colleagues on the platform during classes that will be held online, or alternatively sent to the teacher on the exam date.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students must refer exclusively to the books listed in the bibliography as well as to the slides available on the blended learning page of the course. Non-attending students will have the same requirements as attending students.

Attendance

Attendance is optional.

Course books

Non-attending students must refer exclusively to the books and chapters listed in the course books section.

Assessment

There are no differences with respect to the requirements for attending students.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

None.