Learning Theories

Part A: Historical and Contemporary Learning Theories

1. Historical (300 words)
   o Choose one historical theory to learning that you find influential.
   o Provide a concise overview, emphasizing its core principles.
   o Discuss the social, cultural, and political context in which it was developed.
2. Contemporary (300 words)
   o Select one contemporary theory of learning that resonates with today’s educational landscape.
   o Describe its main principles and concepts.
   o Consider its relevance and application in current educational settings, considering factors such as digital technology, globalization, and socio-cultural shifts.
   Please find some examples of historical and contemporary theories. Download Please find some examples of historical and contemporary theories.

Part B: Educational Interventions (800 words)
Applying Theory to Practice
o Based on either the contemporary or the historical theory discussed in Part A, propose an educational intervention for a specific educational setting of your choice (e.g., traditional classroom, online learning, vocational training).
o Discuss how the intervention aligns with the principles of the chosen learning theory.
o Evaluate potential outcomes, benefits, and challenges of implementing the intervention in the chosen setting using research evidence.

Part C: Personal Training Needs Analysis (1600 words)

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Essential Reading
• Chapter 9 Chart your own course and set sail, In Forsythe, A (2021). The Psychology Students Survival Guide, Here be Dragons, Routledge, NY.
Recommended Reading
• Chapters 6, 7, 8 In Forsythe, A (2021). The Psychology Students Survival Guide, Here be Dragons, Routledge, NY.

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Assignment Overview
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional and personal development, it’s imperative to continually assess our skills and knowledge. Recognizing areas that require enhancement not only sets us on a path to excellence but also ensures we remain adaptable and forward-thinking.
The assignment requires you to write up a case study on your own training needs analysis. This assignment offers you an opportunity to introspectively examine your current competencies, identify areas of growth, and set actionable, measurable learning goals.
Learning Goals:
Within this training needs analysis, you are tasked with developing three distinct learning goals. These goals should be specific, relevant, and aligned with your broader aspirations. But identifying goals is only the starting point; it’s the journey towards achieving them that often provides the most valuable lessons.
Stretch Projects:
Enter the concept of the ‘Stretch Project’. A stretch project is an assignment or task taken up voluntarily, which lies outside of your current skill set or comfort zone. It’s designed to challenge you, pushing you beyond your current capabilities and compelling you to adapt, learn, and grow. Such projects might feel daunting initially, but they’re instrumental in driving rapid skill acquisition and promoting a growth mindset. They force us to confront our limitations, strategies on overcoming them, and in the process, achieve accelerated personal and professional growth.
In this assignment, you will be designing five stretch projects tailored to support your three learning goals. Through these projects, you’ll not only be working towards your objectives but also understanding the importance of pushing boundaries and embracing challenges in the learning process.
Format of your case study:
We have provided you with five example case studies, each with stretch projects attached to them to inspire you and give you a flavour of what such case studies look like.

1. Fatima who is the executive director of a charity. Fatima Case StudyDownload Fatima Case Study
2. Liam the Youth worker. Liam Case StudyDownload Liam Case Study
3. Dr Ivy Fernwood the Botanical Communicator Dr Ivy Case StudyDownload Dr Ivy Case Study
4. Elliott Gray Forensic Psychologist Elliot Case StudyDownload Elliot Case Study
5. Bruce “Sunny” Greenleaf Anger Management Consultant Bruce Case StudyDownload Bruce Case Study

You should follow the format of the example case studies with the following sections. Sections 1-7 should be no more than 100 words. Section 8 should be no more than 900 words. You should aim for a total of 1600 words.

1. Background
2. Self-identification of developmental needs
3. Roles and Responsibilities (if you wish you may focus this on your dream job rather than the post you currently hold)
4. Day-To-Day Operations of that role
5. Work Environment
6. Skills and competencies required.
7. Recommendation for training and development (Include learning goals here)
8. 5 Stretch Projects, with supporting evidence (remaining word count to be applied)

Use of research evidence: Please note that with each example an evidence base is provided. All examples provide brief but strong rationales and are explained very well but they may lack the reference to theory and research. Assignments with higher grades will systematically support the recommendation for learning goals and stretch projects with evidence from peer-reviewed academic literature.
Please refer to the Marking Descriptors Download Marking Descriptors and the rubrics below to understand how your work will be graded.