Types of Learning and the Developing Brain

Course overview

This course examines some of the diverse types of learning that humans must master in response to the complex social and cultural environments in which they develop. Structural changes that occur in the brain in response to learning are covered, as are the processes characteristic of different life stages. The course emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the relationship between brain development and learning. This course is based upon material published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in How People Learn II: Learners, Contexts, and Cultures, and is available as an open access article. This course on types of learning is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding brain development and learning. The course material includes a review of the reciprocal nature of brain development and learning. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal.