EDU210 - The Brain and Learning
| Year: | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Community Based Delivery (CBD) * Trimester 3: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Cohort rule: | Nil |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | EDU201 |
| Study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Scheduled learning activities - online: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
| In-person attendance requirements: | Students who are completing professional experience (placements) are expected to access lectures and seminars during the scheduled out-of-school-hours seminar time during placement weeks. Students will also be able to access classes and seminars asynchronously during placement weeks. |
| Note: | *Community Based Delivery (CBD): only for students of the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation NIKERI Institute (located at the Waurn Ponds campus) |
Content
This unit provides foundational knowledge of how the brain learns and practical strategies to enhance teaching and learning. Drawing from contemporary research in cognitive neuroscience, the unit investigates efficient and effective processes of knowledge acquisition, with a focus on the function and role of memory, cognitive overload, and the progression of a learner from novice to mastery. By engaging with research on how students learn, participants will deepen their understanding of the science of learning and develop the skills to apply this information when working with students.
Throughout the unit, you will explore how key concepts of the science of learning can help educators in understanding what it means to be a novice learner compared to an expert, and the implications for teaching strategies. Key areas of focus include, explicit teaching, modelling, and scaffolding techniques that align with how the brain learns and effective support for diverse learners. The unit also addresses common neuromyths, equipping you with the skills to critically evaluate and avoid their perpetuation. You will apply your knowledge of the science of learning to planning and sequencing learning opportunities that build complexity over time, incorporating strategies such as retrieval practice and content spacing to enhance long-term retention.
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Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.