The Brain and Learning

Undergraduate | 2027

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your study is delivered on campus and/or online
On campus, Online
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
EDUC 2115
Course ID icon
Course ID
209591
Campus icon
Campus
Magill, Mawson Lakes, Mt Gambier, Whyalla, Online, Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Education
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

The aim of this course is to understand how the brain functions and how we learn to better inform teaching practice. The course addresses short and long-term memory, cognitive load, and knowledge processing as well as retrieval and application strategies. The course will also bust a range of neuromyths and common misconceptions in brain research. By the end, students will have a solid understanding of brain processes and optimised learning strategies for teacher education, enhancing their ability to design effective learning experiences.

  • Brain Basics: Structure, Function and Development
  • Memory and the Brain
  • Novice vs Expert Learners: Schemas, Expertise, and Pedagogical Implications
  • Biologically Primary vs Biologically Secondary Learning; Repetition and Conditioning
  • Observational Learning, Mirror Neurons and the Ripple Effect
  • Emotion, Motivation, Play and the Brain
  • Executive Functions, Working Memory and Cognitive Load Theory
  • Load Reduction Instruction Part 1: Reducing Difficulty, Explicit Teaching, Scaffolding and Guided Practice
  • Load Reduction Instruction Part 2: Instructional Feedback, Guided Independence and Supported Autonomy
  • Neuromyths and Course Overview

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate Knowledge of what it means to be a ‘novice’ learner in comparison to an ‘expert’ learner
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the most efficient and effective process of knowledge acquisition in the brain, including the function of memory and the concept of cognitive overload
  • Explain the process that occurs in a novice brain during progression towards mastery
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and skill in the need to adjust practice in response to novice and mastery processes
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of common neuromyths and the impact of their perpetuation on education practice

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • Must not have completed PSYCX200 at a grade of at least The Brain and Learning from the University of South Australia

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

  • Multiple Choice Questions – 20%
  • Critical Analysis, Oral Defence – 80%

Availability

Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/08/2027
Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 03/09/2027
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 17/09/2027
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 15/10/2027

Class details

Magill

Group 1

Class number
Class number 68437
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
2 Aug - 16 Aug Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12
30 Aug - 13 Sep Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12
11 Oct - 1 Nov Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12
Class number
Class number 68438
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 19 Aug Thursday 9:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12
2 Sep - 16 Sep Thursday 9:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12
14 Oct - 4 Nov Thursday 9:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12
Class number
Class number 68439
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
2 Aug - 16 Aug Monday 10:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12
11 Oct - 1 Nov Monday 10:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12
30 Aug - 13 Sep Monday 10:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-12

Mawson Lakes

Group 1

Class number
Class number 68604
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
2 Aug - 16 Aug Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-37
30 Aug - 13 Sep Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-37
11 Oct - 1 Nov Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-37
Class number
Class number 68605
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 18 Aug Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-38
1 Sep - 15 Sep Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-38
13 Oct - 3 Nov Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-38
Class number
Class number 68606
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 20 Aug Friday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39
3 Sep - 17 Sep Friday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39
15 Oct - 5 Nov Friday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39

Mt Gambier

Group 1

Class number
Class number 68603
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 10
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 19 Aug Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Mt Gambier Learning Centre, LC1-34
2 Sep - 16 Sep Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Mt Gambier Learning Centre, LC1-34
14 Oct - 4 Nov Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Mt Gambier Learning Centre, LC1-34

Whyalla

Group 1

Class number
Class number 68602
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 10
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 18 Aug Wednesday 11:10am - 1pm Whyalla Main Building, MB1-41
1 Sep - 15 Sep Wednesday 11:10am - 1pm Whyalla Main Building, MB1-41
13 Oct - 3 Nov Wednesday 11:10am - 1pm Whyalla Main Building, MB1-41

Online

Group 1

Class number
Class number 68390
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,

Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 05/03/2027
Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 26/03/2027
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 09/04/2027
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 07/05/2027

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Group 1

Class number
Class number 31533
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
22 Feb - 12 Apr Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111a
3 May - 24 May Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111a
Class number
Class number 33425
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 May - 27 May Thursday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ1-13
25 Feb - 11 Mar Thursday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ1-13
25 Mar - 8 Apr Thursday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ1-13

Mawson Lakes

Group 1

Class number
Class number 31531
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 10 Mar Wednesday 10:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Charles Todd, SCT2-08
24 Mar - 7 Apr Wednesday 10:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Charles Todd, SCT2-08
5 May - 26 May Wednesday 10:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Charles Todd, SCT2-08
Class number
Class number 31532
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Thursday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-37
25 Mar - 8 Apr Thursday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-37
6 May - 27 May Thursday 9:10am - 11am Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-37

Online

Group 1

Class number
Class number 25480
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,

Fee calculator

To display course fees for 2027, select your status and program below:

Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

If you are studying in a Professional Pathway Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Social Work program, please refer to the Student Contributions amounts published here.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course
Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) (Honours)
Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) (Honours)