Course Outline

EDU101 Human Development and Learning

Course Coordinator:Michael Nagel (mnagel@usc.edu.au) School:School of Education and Tertiary Access

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

UniSC Fraser Coast

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you explore a range of ways children develop and learn. This in turn develops your understanding of the human growth process in relation to the diverse learning styles and needs of children from birth through to young adulthood. Importantly, you will explore the theories that inform what we know about development and learning and how such theories and research inform teaching and learning. There is a strong focus in this course on understanding learning within the contexts of rapidly changing environments.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Prerecorded videos and associated activities done independently to introduce main concepts each week. 1.8hrs Week 1 10 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – You are required to engage with a one hour tutorial/workshop to review and consolidate content in the Webinar via the Learning Materials 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Prerecorded videos and associated activities done independently to introduce main concepts each week. 1.8hrs Week 1 10 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – You are required to engage with a one hour tutorial/workshop to review and consolidate content in the Webinar via the Learning Materials 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to Course: What is Learning?
  • Learning – Product or Process? Linking Development to Learning.
  • The Links Between Development and Learning
    • The difference in the process of knowledge acquisition in the brain of a novice vs the brain of an expert, including mental models and schemas
  • Understanding Brain Development, including brain development from early childhood through to young adult, the​​​​​​​​​​​ features of biologically primary and secondary knowledge acquisition, executive function, 
  • Identification of common neuromyths
  • Learning, Thinking and Intelligence
  • Language Development and Learning
  • Memory and Learning, including working and long-term memory, cognitive overload and its causes
  • Motivation and Learning
  • Inclusive Learning
  • Sociocultural Factors of Learning
  • Nurturing Learning, and the role of the teaching in supporting learning

 

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership
1 Demonstrate knowledge of the biological, social, cultural and historical contexts that shape theories about human development and early learning. Knowledgeable
1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2 Evaluate the major debates that have helped shape conceptions of developmental theories of learning. Draw on relevant literature and field based examples to devise sound arguments for developing practices in engaging with learners. Engaged
1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
3 Draw upon Course topics to reflect upon the implications for learner development on future professional practice Empowered
1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
4 Draw upon Course topics to consider elements of classroom practice for a range of diverse learners. Creative and critical thinker
1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.5

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership
1 PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE: Know students and how they learn
1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
1.2 Understand how students learn: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.3 Students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds: Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.
1.4 Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students: Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
3.5 Use effective classroom communication: Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in Program ED010, ED011, ED101, ED102,AE301, AE302, AE304,BE301, ED301, ED303, ED304, ED315, SE301, SE303, ED601 or UB009

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback is provided in week 3 during a practice quiz as part of the scaffolding for the final quiz.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral Group 25%
30min
Refer to Format In Class
All 2 Quiz/zes Individual 35%
30 min
Week 10 In Class
All 3 Written Piece Individual 40%
1800 words total
Week 10 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Seminar Presentation
Goal:
The goal of this task is for you to develop your research skills through the examination of research studies and relevant literature related to various concepts and/or theories of learning and present your findings collaboratively to your peers in an engaging and participatory fashion.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Submit: Weeks 5-9 (negotiated with tutor in week 1). You are required to research various theories about human development that have been discussed in classes. You should consider and investigate the major debates that have helped shape our understandings of the development of learning. You are then required to present your findings to your peers in a 30 minute interactive and engaging tutorial presentation. Your presentation should be a synopsis of your research and evaluations of the literature related to this field and include a reflection on your thinking about this field of study. You will need to hand in a one page outline of your topic to the tutor on the day of your presentation.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Knowledge of the biological, social, cultural and historical contexts that shape theories about human development and learning
1 2
2
Evaluation of literature related to the field of developmental theories and learning within educational contexts
1 2
3
Evaluation of major debates that have helped shape conceptions of developmental theories of learning
1 2
4
Reflection on one’s thinking and insights into this field of study
3 4
5
Written communication skills, Oral communication skills and academic literacies including English expression grammar, spelling, punctuation, APA referencing conventions
1
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 2:Quiz
Goal:
The goal of this task is to draw together your understanding of the Course topics as the trimester progresses.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will complete a quiz in week 10 to determine your depth of understanding of key principals and theories related to human development and learning. This quiz will be scaffolded
during tutorials throughout the semester which will provide you with immediate feedback to reflect on your current understanding of the Course topics which in turn may also be used to
enhance the outcomes of subsequent quizzes and shape your final assessment item, the personal reflection.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Knowledge of the biological, social, cultural and historical contexts that shape theories about human development and learning.
1
2
Evaluation of literature related to the field of developmental theories and learning within educational contexts
1
3
Written communication skills and academic literacies including English expression grammar, spelling, punctuation, APA referencing conventions
1
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 3:Personal Reflection
Goal:
The goal of this task is to demonstrate your emerging understanding of Course topics and your ability to apply these to your future teaching role.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Over the trimester you have investigated many theories and understandings about how young children develop physically, socially and intellectually to become young adults. You are now required to consider this knowledge and understanding in terms of your future professional role as a teacher. You are to identify a particular age cohort - young children, primary school students, middle year students, teenagers or young adults. You are to submit a personal reflection that addresses the following: Given what I now know about learner development what does this mean in terms of: Communication strategies to support student learning for my chosen age group Strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in learning Organisation of the classroom and providing directions to the learners managing challenging behaviour.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students to verbal and nonverbal communication strategies
1 2
2
Application of knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students to inclusive classroom strategies
1 2 3 4
3
Application of knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students to managing challenging behaviour
1 2 3 4
4
Written communication skills and academic literacies including English expression grammar, spelling, punctuation, APA referencing conventions
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Period and Topic Activities
Week 1
Introduction to Course: What is Learning?
Learning – Product or Process? Linking Development to Learning.
Week 2
The Links Between Development and Learning
Week 3
Understanding Brain Development
Week 4
Learning, thinking and Intelligence
Week 5
Language Development and Learning
Week 6
Memory and Learning
Week 7
Motivation and Learning
Week 8
Inclusive Learning
Week 9
Sociocultural Factors of Learning
Week 10
Nurturing Learning

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Michael C. Nagel,Laura Scholes 2016 Understanding Development and Learning 1st Oxford University Press, USA

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: