Effective Cognitive Learning Strategies for Adults

Program Description

Adult learning in the formal education setting generally occurs in two simultaneous tracks that take years of experience and practice to master. The first is the content of the formal curriculum and the second are the self-taught cognitive and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively learn the content. This course uses cognitive learning science and theories in adult education to practice these essential skills to teach adult learners the effective and efficient cognitive and interpersonal strategies for learning. Five self-paced modules and an experiential learning project provide hands-on approaches to develop the skills for academic and personal success in the formal curriculum and beyond.

Program Objectives

1. Below are the objectives for each module in order. By the end of the program, students will be able to:
2. Create individualized goals to maintain motivation and practice the key principles of learning and wellness strategies that enable anyone to be a successful adult learner.
3. Practice classroom preparation strategies that prime the mind, organize thoughts, and allow learners to make connections for improved content knowledge acquisition.
4. Demonstrate several active individual and group learning methods for content acquisition and long-term learning retention.
5. Use the scientific methods of spaced practice and interleaving to design a personalized and flexible long-term learning maintenance and retention plan.
6. Critically self-assess knowledge and efficacy of test-taking skills, assignments, and oral presentation skills using tools provided to recognize feedback opportunities for personal and academic self-improvement.
7. Develop and formulate a personalized field opportunity for experiential learning to utilize skills and strategies demonstrated throughout the course.

Method of Delivery

This course is distributed using a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and includes online lecture presentation videos and scholarly scientific articles with interwoven activities. Personal academic counseling or learning support available for an additional hourly fee.

Evaluation

Evaluation is pass/fail. Participants will not receive a numerical or letter grade for completion. All activities outlined in the program must be completed to obtain a passing grade to earn the Certificate of Completion. Program evaluation activities are specified for each module and session and may include:

• Active learning assignments and tasks
• Development of personal learning goals
• Self-assessment using rubrics as benchmarks
• Participation in creating and responding to at least 4 discussion postings
• Real-time assessment including quizzes or checks for understanding to engage learners
• Reflection and personal journaling

Cost and Credit

Certificate of Completion with $100 submission to the program. Certificates can help adult learners obtain tutoring positions in their formal curriculum programs or continuing education credit for teachers among other benefits.

Sessions & Timing

The program contains 6 modules with 3-6 sessions, each of which will take approximately 30-45 minutes or less to complete, including activities. Some sessions may be broken into two parts to keep videos short. The entire course must be completed within 10 weeks to receive a Certificate of Completion.

• Module 1: 6 Sessions; 4 hours over 2 weeks
• Module 2: 3 Sessions; 2 hours over 1 week
• Module 3: 4 Sessions; 3 hours over 1 week
• Module 4: 3 Sessions; 2 hours over 1 week
• Module 5: 5 Sessions, 9 parts; 5 hours over 2 weeks
• Module 6: Individual Experiential Learning Implementation; 4 hours over 2 weeks