Fw: course for next semester

[miray Tekkumru]

Hi everyone,

Below is a short description for a Fall Semester course by Tim Nokes. I thought, some of you might be interested in this class. 

I hope you all a great summer.

Miray

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Nokes, Timothy J" <no...@pitt.edu>

Date: May 10, 2011 9:06:59 AM EDT

To: "Tekkumru Kisa, Miray" <mi...@pitt.edu>

Cc: "Nokes, Timothy J" <no...@pitt.edu>

Subject: course for next semester

Dear All,

Below is a description of the graduate seminar that I am teaching in the Fall on Knowledge Transfer. The class will meet on Tuesday afternoons and is scheduled from 3:00-5:50. Please let me know if you are considering taking this course. Thanks much.

Best,

-Tim Nokes 

Course Description

A critical function of the human mind is the ability to use prior knowledge to solve novel problems and perform new tasks. The learning and cognitive sciences have referred to this as the ability to transfer knowledge acquired from one task or situation to another. In this course we will explore the psychological theories, issues, and approaches to understanding knowledge transfer. What are the cognitive processes underlying this ability? What factors impact the probability of transfer? How do we explain transfer failures? What are the implications of transfer (or lack thereof) for theories of education and instruction? We will take an in depth look at the empirical research and examine how it relates to the central issues and questions.

Topics include:

·      Classic theories (identical elements and abstraction) 

·      Contemporary mechanisms (e.g., rule-based, analogy, knowledge compilation, constraint violation)

·      Types of transfer (declarative to procedural, skill transfer, specific versus general, near versus far)

·      Critical factors (activities, materials, context, temporal considerations)

·      Alternative approaches and frameworks (situated / embodied cognition, preparation for future learning, actor-oriented transfer)

·      Relation to other topics and psychological constructs (creativity, expertise, intelligence, learning, memory, motivation, problem solving)

·      Implications for education and instruction

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Timothy J. Nokes 

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Learning Sciences and Policy

Research Scientist, Learning Research & Development Center

Room 818, 3939 O'Hara Street

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Phone: 412-624-7789

Email: no...@pitt.edu

http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu/nokes/CSL-lab-home.html

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[Benny Cooper]

Thanks, Miray

Benny Cooper