Learning Theories Course Compilation
Course description: The Critical Issues & Application (CIA) course is the foundation course for independent studies at Prescott College. As the adult student has been away from the discipline of academic studies, the CIA course gives the student an opportunity to review the critical and analytical thinking skills necessary for college study, research, and success. Teacher education students will combine the learning outcomes with a Core Education course (e.g., Learning Theories or Foundation of Education). This course invites students to explore the territory of their chosen field, including the prevailing “narrative” of the field (its dominant theories), as well as other contributing fields or subfields. This foundation will serve students to create their program curriculum, to identify personally interesting questions that lead to research papers and projects, including early prospects for an eventual demonstation of competence. Students will review and practice the research process in this course, including finding appropriate academic sources, utilizing MLA or APA documentation, developing a solid thesis, and producing clear, organized academic writing. Within this course, the student will become competent in mentored studies, completing college-level work, and addressing all requirements for graduation from Prescott College. In addition, the student will think critically about her or his role within the local community and larger society. Throughout the CIA course, the student will gain personal and professional growth.
Quarter: April 21 – July 7, 2008, 11 weeks
Mentor: Ellen Greenblum, Prescott Faculty
Assignments:
Research paper on Learning being an act of creativity: I contend in this paper that all real learning is an act of creativity
and so is different from knowing which is the more commonly understood
and emphasized form of learning in mainstream education.
Field experience: I observed Mari Brockhaus’ 1st grade classroom at the alternative Thornton Elementary Public School for a total of 10 hours.
Books referenced:
Maslow, A. (1970). What is a Taoistic Teacher?. In L. J. Rubin, Facts and Feelings in the Classroom (pp. 149-170). New York: The Viking Press.
Robinson, K. (2001). Out of our Minds: Learning to be Creative. United Kingdom: Capstone Publishing Limited.
Feinberg, E., Feinberg, W. (2001). Carl Rogers. In J. A. Palmer, Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education: From Piaget to Present. New York: Routledge.
Csikszentmihalyi, C. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.
Krishnamurti, J. (1955). Art, Beauty and Creation. In Education and the Significance of Life (pp. 123-128). United Kingdom: Victor Gollancz Ltd.
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