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Course profile

Foundation of the Science of Learning (EDUC7059)

Study period
Sem 2 2025
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Education School

The Foundations of the Science of Learning Course will provide an overview of the emerging field and its implications for teaching, learning and leading across the lifespan and in a range of contexts. It will explore the latest research in the field, how this can be translated into the various teaching, learning and leading contexts relevant to the participants, and will encourage discussion and reflection on how participants individually think about and support learning and teaching. Students will develop skills in the critical evaluation of Science of Learning literature and how to translate this into practical applications for teaching, learning and/ or leading. The course will be highly interactive with some of the content determined by the participants. Participants will be challenged to articulate through a variety of mediums how this research impacts their thinking and their practice, and will collaboratively develop a set of Learning, Teaching and Leading Principles exemplified through the course content and delivery. Participants in this course will be able to focus on areas of special interest to their field. These may include but are not limited to: creativity, leadership, music, art, language learning, technology, and learning difficulties.

Course requirements

Restrictions

In Person offering may be cancelled unless a minimum of 10 students enrol

Jointly taught details

This course is jointly-taught with:

  • Another instance of the same course

This course has both Internal and External offerings and will be run in a hybrid environment with synchronous in-person and online delivery happening simultaneously.

Course contact

Course staff

Course coordinator

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims that learners will:

  1. Identify and be able to explain various approaches and theories of learning.
  2. Describe how the three fields of neuroscience,ᅠpsychological scienceᅠand education can contribute to understand, measure and promote learning.
  3. Demonstrate awareness of the neurological and physiological underpinnings of emotions and cognition.
  4. Consider the role of social cognition and interaction in learning.
  5. Identify the conditions that are likely to make feedback effective for learners.ᅠ
  6. Apply the scientific method in order to review research for reliability and validity.ᅠ
  7. Create a proposal to translate science of learning research into practical contexts.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Access, interpret, and critically evaluate scientific articles relevant to science of learning practices and/or research.

LO2.

Explicate key ideas about the brain and mind, and how function is determined.

LO3.

Consider, critically evaluate, and implement psychological theories relevant to education and learning.

LO4.

Describe processes leading to the development of self-regulated learning.

LO5.

Identify the many factors that affect the dynamic process of development and learning across the lifespan.

LO6.

Translate key teachings and learnings into each students own personal and professional practice through the development of a personal theory.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Paper/ Report/ Annotation Assessment 1 - Personal Learning Philosophy Blog
  • Online
40% 1500-2000 equivalent

Blog 1 (Formative) - Due 2pm 8/08/2025

Blog 2 (Formative) - Due 2pm 19/09/2025

Final Blog Written (Summative) - Due 2pm 31/10/2025

Final Blog Viva Voce 27/10/2025 - 31/10/2025

Quiz Assessment 2 - Online Quizzes
  • Online
30% 2000 words

Online Quiz 1 18/08/2025 - 22/08/2025

Online Quiz 2 15/09/2025 - 19/09/2025

Online Quiz 3 20/10/2025 - 24/10/2025

All quizzes will open on their indicated week from 6pm Monday and will close at 4pm Friday of their indicated week.


Presentation Assessment 3 - Translation Presentation 30% 1500 words equivalent

10/11/2025 2:00 pm

Assessment details

Assessment 1 - Personal Learning Philosophy Blog

  • Online
Mode
Oral, Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
40% 1500-2000 equivalent
Due date

Blog 1 (Formative) - Due 2pm 8/08/2025

Blog 2 (Formative) - Due 2pm 19/09/2025

Final Blog Written (Summative) - Due 2pm 31/10/2025

Final Blog Viva Voce 27/10/2025 - 31/10/2025

Learning outcomes
L01, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Topic: Development of personal philosophy of learning

The Aim of the Activity: To develop a personal theory / philosophy of learning that is informed by the course content, readings and additional literature pertaining to the Science of Learning.

The Activity: Your personal philosophy of learning reflects your beliefs about learning. It also shapes the way you may engage in your own learning experiences or how you might design and deliver learning experiences for others such as your students or colleagues. So, what is your personal philosophy of learning? To begin, you will write a blog entry summarising your current personal philosophy of learning, reflecting on the metaphor of ‘weaving a colourful cloth’ as explored in the Week 2 reading, Immordino-Yang, et al (2023) and on the Learning Ecosystem activity undertaken in class in Weeks 1 and 2.

At the conclusion of Week 8 you will write a second blog entry demonstrating how your personal philosophy of learning has evolved. In this post you will reflect on how your evolving philosophy has been informed by the focus, readings, activities, and discussions of the course so far, and use supporting literature from the science of learning.

At the conclusion of the course, you will complete a final Blog (Week 13), reflecting on how your personal philosophy of learning has been informed by your learning across the semester. You will also complete a Viva voce with the course coordinator, outlining the key dimensions of your learning philosophy. You may choose to your Learning Ecosystem artefact or other resources to support your discussion.

Guidelines: The blog entries will need to attend to the criteria as described in the EDUC7059 criteria sheet. The following questions serve as a guide for your blog entry responses.

Entry 1 – Formative assessment (500 words max)

The first of your blog entries needs to respond to the question:

  1. What is your current personal philosophy of learning?
  2. What experiences/ ideas/ beliefs/ existing theories underpin your current philosophy? Refer to your Learning Ecosystem task in this response.

Entry 2 - Formative Assessment (500 words max)

  1. How does information from the recent Science of Learning lectures, readings and discussions inform, challenge, or support your personal philosophy of learning, i.e. how is your personal philosophy evolving?
  2. What might be some practical ways you could apply these insights from the Science of Learning into your practice as a learner or teacher/ leader of learning?

Final Entry SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Written component 500 - 1000 words; Viva Voce to be completed Week 13) (Your final grade will be based on this response and the Viva Voce)

  1. Reflect on your initial blog post. How has your developing understanding of the Science of Learning supported or challenged your initial philosophy or theory of learning?
  2. What insights from the Science of Learning findings have had the greatest influence on your personal philosophy of learning? Explain, drawing on relevant literature to support your discussion. How is this reflected in your Learning Ecology?
  3. In reflecting across the course, how might you action your personal philosophy of learning into practice?

The assignment length guidelines are 1500-2000 words total for all 3 posts + 10-minute Viva Voce (live interview with Course Coordinator to be undertaken on Zoom or Teams). This is approximately equivalent to 500 words maximum for Blogs 1 & 2 and 500-1000 for the final summative post.

Submission guidelines

Blog 1 and 2 to be submitted via Journal Link on Blackboard

Blog 3 (summative) to be submitted via TurnItIn link in Blackboard

Blog 3 Viva Voce will be conducted online during Week 13. The Course Coordinator will post a schedule, and students are to select a time from that schedule.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extension requests for Blog 3 to be submitted via MyRequests in myUQ as per information in the ‘Apply for an extension' link.

For extension requests regarding submission of the Final Blog Viva Voce please contact the course coordinator directly.

Late submission

A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.

Assessment 2 - Online Quizzes

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Quiz
Weight
30% 2000 words
Due date

Online Quiz 1 18/08/2025 - 22/08/2025

Online Quiz 2 15/09/2025 - 19/09/2025

Online Quiz 3 20/10/2025 - 24/10/2025

All quizzes will open on their indicated week from 6pm Monday and will close at 4pm Friday of their indicated week.


Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L05

Task description

Topic: Mobilising knowledge across disciplinary lines

The Science of Learning is underpinned by three disciplines: neuroscience, psychology, and education. The Science of Learning takes a multidisciplinary approach to understanding how people learn, the factors that affect learning, and what the implications of these findings are for teaching, learning design and learning technologies (Hayes, 2006). However, research across these disciplines varies greatly in scope, specificity, and applicability to the real-world. Neuroscientific and psychological research often focuses on understanding cognitive, emotional, and behavioural processes in highly controlled laboratory conditions. While this research is incredibly valuable for understanding the mechanisms underlying learning, the direct relevance and applicability of such research to educational practice has been questioned for over 20 years (Bruer, 1997; Bowers, 2016). The prevalence of neuromyths (inaccurate conclusions drawn from neuroscientific evidence), oversimplification of psychological theories propagated through social media, and a general lack of consensus on how to effectively translate research into practice are primary examples of the challenges and pitfalls facing multidisciplinary research translation. Despite the ongoing debate and the noticeable challenges, the inclusion of insights from neuroscience and cognitive psychology is increasingly popular in education and workplace training, with recent reviews of Initial Teacher Education in Australia calling for an understanding of ‘the brain and learning’ to be included as core knowledge (Australian Government, 2023).

Your task is to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and possibilities surrounding the critiquing, interpretation, and use of multi-disciplinary research in practice. You are to complete three separate online open book quizzes via Blackboard:

1.     Quiz 1 – Multiple Choice:

You will be asked multiple choice questions assessing your understanding of how related disciplines contribute to and differ from the Science of Learning.

Format: 10 Multiple Choice Questions

Time: 30 mins

2.     Quiz 2 – Multiple Choice:

You will be asked multiple choice questions assessing your understanding of the challenges of inter-disciplinary translation

Format: 10 Multiple Choice Questions

Time: 30 mins

3.     Quiz 3 – Short Answer:

You will be provided with a vignette describing evidence, findings, and arguments from neuroscience, psychology, and education on a specific topic relevant to learning. You will be asked to provide short-answer responses demonstrating your ability to critically evaluate empirical evidence and theoretical arguments to provide a clear and justified position on issues of research translation.

Format: 3 Short Answer Questions

  • Time: 45 mins

Submission guidelines

Quizzes are to be completed online via Blackboard. Only ONE attempt is allowed for each quiz. Deferred or supplementary quizzes are NOT available. 

Each quiz is ‘open-book’ – you may refer to your notes or course resources during the quiz. While these quizzes will not assess specific content knowledge or ask you to recall specific details from extant literature, a thorough understanding of the theoretical arguments and logic behind philosophical positions within the debate surrounding the role of the brain in learning will be advantageous.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Please contact your course coordinator directly to discuss potential for extensions.

Late submission

A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.

Assessment 3 - Translation Presentation

Mode
Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
Category
Presentation
Weight
30% 1500 words equivalent
Due date

10/11/2025 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Topic: Mobilising the Science of Learning into practice: a professional learning presentation in your context

The multi-disciplinary nature of the science of learning makes the process of mobilising or translating this knowledge into authentic teaching, learning, and training environments a complex and challenging one (see Daniel, 2012; Fischer, 2009; Joram, Gabriele, & Walton, 2020; Lysenko, Abrami, Bernard, Dagenais, & Janosz, 2014; Macmahon, Leggett & Carroll, 2022; van Atteveldt, Tijsma, Janssen, & Kupper, 2019). However, seeking ways to overcome these complexities and challenges has immense value for the field and reciprocal benefits for both educators and researchers (Hobbis et al., 2018). Levin (2013) conceptualised the process of knowledge mobilisation as involving three domains: knowledge production, knowledge use, and knowledge mediation. Knowledge brokers – individuals who can act as a conduit between research and practice – are fundamental to effective knowledge mediation, supporting educators and other users of Science of Learning research to effectively engage with and apply research in contextually relevant ways (Brown, 2020; Cooper et al., 2020; Farley-Ripple, 2017; Gorard et al., 2020; Hobbis et al., 2019; Neal et al., 2015).

You can play an important role in your context as a mediator of the science of learning by communicating clearly the relevant Science of Learning findings and principles and illustrating how these can be applied and evaluated in your own context.

Your final assessment task is to prepare a professional presentation that explains and illustrates ways to mobilise a Science of Learning Principle into your teaching/ learning/ training context. The presentation is to be suitable for educators in your context and must feature some key practical applications.

Use the prompts below to guide your presentation.

  • Clearly set the context for your presentation, i.e.: who the audience is.
  • Clearly articulate and explain your chosen principle.
  • Explain the role of the chosen principle in the learning process relevant to your identified audience, synthesising and clearly communicating the key research supporting this principle.
  • Provide clear illustrations of how this principle can be applied into practice in your audience’s context, demonstrating an understanding of common translational barriers and strategies for overcoming or reducing these in your context.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the design principles informed by the Science of Learning through the layout, activities, and presentation of the task (your aim is to engage and inspire your colleagues!).

Submission guidelines

Your presentation may be presented as either a PowerPoint presentation, a keynote presentation, or a video.  Regardless of mode, the translation presentation must:

  • adhere to a maximum time limit of 10 minutes or 1500 words equivalent
  • include an APA formatted reference list

Submission is to be uploaded to Blackboard via the provided link in the Assessment folder.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Description
1 (Low Fail)

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: No evidence of engagement with assessment requirements and literature. No critical analysis of readings, theories and research.

2 (Fail)

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Very minimal engagement with assessment requirements and literature. Critical analysis of readings, theories and research severely lacking. Written presentation extremely poor.

3 (Marginal Fail)

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: Lack of engagement with assessment requirements and literature. Poor critical analysis of readings, theories and research with substandard written presentation.

4 (Pass)

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic requirements for the course, such as some use of fundamental concepts, some use of references, basically keeping to the topic; some elaboration of ideas and arguments, some degree of coherence and organisation and appropriate length; demonstrates sufficient quality of performance to be considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable with respect to explaining the significance and implications of the topic.

5 (Credit)

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts of the course, going beyond mere replication of ideas from source materials to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of relevance, analysis of implications and drawing of conclusions.

6 (Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrates awareness and understanding of deeper and subtler aspects of the course, such as identifying and debating critical issues or problems, applying ideas to practical situations in schools, and offering insightful commentary, implications and conclusions.

7 (High Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on comprehensive and complex understanding of the course. Assessment is interesting or surprising or exciting or challenging or erudite.

Additional course grading information

Assignment Submission: All assignments must be submitted electronically. Assignments must be submitted by the due date.

Determining Final Grades: The final grades are determined by consideration of the weighting of individual assessment items, through the use of weighting formula and the profile of individual grades across accumulated assessment tasks.ᅠ

Exemplar to show calculation of final grade:

All three assignments in this course will be provided a grade out of 7.ᅠ The final grade will be calculated using the weighting and the individual assignment grade as follows.ᅠ For example if a student receives the following three grades:

Assignment 1: Grade of 4 at 40% weighting

Assignment 2: Grade of 5 at 30% weighting

Assignment 3: Grade of 6 at 30% weighting

The final grade for this student taking into account the weighting of each assignment would be:

ᅠᅠᅠ (A1)ᅠᅠᅠᅠ +ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ (A2)ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ +ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ (A3)ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ

(0.40 x 4) + (0.30 x 5) + (0.30 x 6) = 1.6 + 1.5 + 1.8 = 4.9

The final grade would be rounded to the nearest whole number; in this case the grade would be 5.

In the case where the final grade is 0.5 or above, the grade will be rounded up to the nearest whole number (e.g. 5.5 would become 6). In the case where the final grade is 0.49 or below, the grade will be rounded down to the nearest whole number (e.g. 6.49 would become 6).

Note: A marking rubric for each assignment has been uploaded to Turnitin and each criterion has been given a specific weighting. This rubric is then used to grade each individual assignment, and Turnitin will record a partial grade in the comments section, but will record a whole number grade in the grade window (either rounded down or up to the nearest whole number). The whole number grade automatically populates the grade centre. Note that to avoid inflation or deflation of grades at the assignment level, the partial grade will be manually recorded in the grade centre. The partial grades for each assignment will be used to calculate the final grade.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

The following applies to all assessments in this course:

Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the 'Assessment' folder in Blackboard for this course.

Release of assessment item marks and feedback

In addition to the grade awarded, feedback will be provided in a timely manner to enable students to apply the feedback to further tasks within the course or program and/or plan for supplementary assessment, requests for re-mark, or re-enrolment. However, as per UQ Policy and Procedures Library under the Assessment Policy, results for the final assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released. Time frames for applications for assessment re-mark are indicated under the Assessment Procedure.

Re-mark policy

After each assessable item, students will be given the opportunity to view their assessment and so satisfy themselves that a marking or administrative error has not occurred. The formal process of querying a course result (requesting a remark on academic grounds) is set out in the UQ Policy and Procedures Library under the Assessment Procedure.

Use of AI/MT to support or inform assessment

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(28 Jul - 03 Aug)

Workshop

Week 1 - Introduction to the Science of Learning

The first week of this course will provide an overview of the science of learning. Key questions are explored, such as: What is Learning? What is the Science of Learning? A range of learning theories will be explored and considered. The structure of the course will be outlined and assessment explained.

Learning outcomes: L03

Week 2

(04 Aug - 10 Aug)

Workshop

Week 2 - The Brain, The Mind, The Body

This week we will be looking at some foundational ideas from psychology and neuroscience that inform the Science of Learning. We will explore the varying philosophical foundations of the key disciplines and consider the challenges when merging them together.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 3

(11 Aug - 17 Aug)

Workshop

Week 3 - Mobilising the SoL into Practice

As a multi-disciplinary field, the science of learning presents complex challenges when we want to mobilise this research into applied settings. In Week 3 we will be taking a critical lens to the Science of Learning and considering some of the challenges and hurdles when translating multidisciplinary research into real-world practice. We will be discussing different models of research translation and reflecting on contextual and methodological challenges when using research to inform practice.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06

Week 4

(18 Aug - 24 Aug)

Workshop

Week 4 - Synapse to Society 1

This week we will venture into the adolescent brain and explore some of the contemporary research providing insight into adolescent brain and cognitive development. The period of adolescence is a sensitive period of brain development influenced by both biological and environmental factors. We will consider what this important phase of brain and cognitive development means for learning and for teaching.


Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 5

(25 Aug - 31 Aug)

Workshop

Week 5 - Synapse to Society 2

This week we will start looking more deeply into some important learning constructs, including attention, memory and executive functions, including theories such as Cognitive Load Theory. We will explore some guiding principles and some evidence-based strategies that have been shown to promote attention, memory and/ or executive functioning skills and will consider how we can apply these into our own learning contexts.

Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04

Week 6

(01 Sep - 07 Sep)

Workshop

Week 6 - Synapse to Society 3

Neurodiversity. The science of learning and related fields are providing important insight into how differences in learner attributes can be better understood and supported. This week we will explore how we might reframe some common developmental differences to promote more positive experiences for neurodiverse learners.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L06

Week 7

(08 Sep - 14 Sep)

Workshop

Week 7 - Synapse to Society 4

The development of language. Language is a socio-cultural tool for learning, regulation, and instruction. Well-developed language capabilities are important for learning and regulation throughout the lifespan. This week we will explore some of the multidisciplinary literature on language development and its role in learning and instruction.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 8

(15 Sep - 21 Sep)

Workshop

Week 8 - The Science of Learning and Wellbeing 1

Science of Learning & Wellbeing: This week we will begin our look at the Science of Learning and Wellbeing, starting with an overview of the different definitions of wellbeing. We will then consider the role that emotions play in learning and wellbeing across the lifespan.


Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05

Week 9

(22 Sep - 28 Sep)

Workshop

Week 9 - The Science of Learning and Wellbeing 2

Science of Learning & Wellbeing: We are social beings who exist in a social world, and who learn, teach, lead, and work in social contexts. This week we will explore how the science of learning is informing our understanding of social connection and the importance of relationships to learning and thriving. We will consider ways we can utilise this knowledge to design more effective learning and teaching experiences across the lifespan.

Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05, L06

Mid Sem break

(29 Sep - 05 Oct)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

Mid-semester break

Week 10

(06 Oct - 12 Oct)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

Week 10 - Public Holiday

Public Holiday - no class this week - Independent Study

Week 11

(13 Oct - 19 Oct)

Workshop

Week 11 - Self Regulated Learning and Metacognition

Self-Regulated Learning and Effective learning Strategies. The capacity and efficacy to be able to understand, manage, and reflect on one's own thinking, learning, emotions, motivations, and capabilities is a powerful tool for supporting learning, agency, wellbeing and success across the lifespan. However, we often overlook teaching our learners HOW to learn. This week we will explore some theories of self-regulated learning and metacognition, and a range of effective learning strategies to promote SRL.

Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L06

Week 12

(20 Oct - 26 Oct)

Workshop

Week 12 - Deep Learning

Being comfortable with uncertainty – groundwork for deep learning. This week we will delve into what the science says about some important epistemic emotions and higher order thinking processes including curiosity, creativity, interest & confusion. These deep learning constructs are frequently discussed but often misunderstood and underutilised in learning.


Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Week 13

(27 Oct - 02 Nov)

Workshop

Week 13 - Guiding Principles

Making sense of the science of learning in our contexts: this final week will be a revisiting of key principles and ideas from across the course and how we can be using these in our diverse contexts and settings to promote learning. The workshop will also be an opportunity to engage in some collaborative peer feedback processes in relation to the final assessment.


Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.