This is a survey course that is intended to provide you with a greater understanding of cognitive learning processes, motivation, teacher and student characteristics, and instructional techniques. Emphasis will be placed on enabling teachers to better understand how students learn, on helping educators identify and remove barriers that impede student learning, and on helping educators develop teaching practices, programs, and curriculum that lead to academic success. A primary goal for the course will be for students to develop an informed mental model for learning processes and develop an international perspective on learning as it relates to pedagogy. This will be accomplished through application as students in the course work with students in Czech schools on a number of activities related learning and motivation. In addition to taking the course you have the opportunity to get involved in community work projects such as working in an alternative preschool, and various NGOs focusing on ecological issues.

Faculty & Instructors:

Dr. John Nietfeld