Biases and Learning Techniques

For this assignment, you will apply your understanding of different types of biases to develop strategies to improve learning while mitigating or taking advantage of those biases. You will select two learning techniques from the Common Learning Techniques white paper (assigned reading for Session 2, see link below) (you may not select ‘No Strategy’). Describe how biases and heuristics make the technique more or less effective. You will also design a (hypothetical) learning app to improve learning by leveraging your knowledge of different types of biases and the science of learning.
Assignment outline
Part A: Learning Technique 1 (Approx. 200 words)
Summarize the selected technique in your own words. Provide an example of how the technique might be applied in your current courses, making sure to consider the types of tasks or content the technique is suitable for.
Identify the role of at least one type of bias or heuristic that has a direct impact on the selected technique’s effectiveness. Describe how these might contribute to the effectiveness of the technique, as well as any potential undesirable side-effects of biases. Use the example you generated above to illustrate the impacts of the bias.
Part B: Learning Technique 2 (Approx. 200 words)
Summarize the selected technique in your own words. Provide an example of how the technique might be applied in your current courses, making sure to consider the types of learners and tasks the technique is suitable for.
Identify the role of at least one type of bias or heuristic that has a direct impact on the selected technique’s effectiveness. Describe how these might contribute to the effectiveness of the technique, as well as any potential undesirable side-effects of biases. Use the example you generated above to illustrate the impacts of the bias.
Part C: Design a Learning App (Approx. 250 words)
Design a (hypothetical) mobile app that will aid college students in learning course material. The app must make use of at least one learning technique. Make sure to do the following:
Describe how the app will work.
Explain how the app will make use of a learning technique.
Explain how the app takes advantage of and/or limits/avoids/mitigates specific biases to help more effective learning.
Additional guidelines:
(1) Apply LOs with some depth (e.g., the role of specific emotions and their effects, or how a particular heuristic bias influences situations). Review the key readings previously assigned for each of the LOs when they were introduced.
(2) A weak score for each of these LOs would result from inaccurate application or description of the relevant bias, and/or superficial or inaccurate explanation of the way in which they might affect learning. A strong score for each LO would reflect a correct and well-supported explanation of the way in which the learning might be influenced by the relevant bias you have identified.
(3) Explanations should be specific and detailed (e.g., considering the effects of particular emotions rather than simply stating the presence of emotional bias; or for example with memory bias, considering the specific aspects of memory that may be affected).
(4) Use proper APA style guidelines to cite appropriate, scholarly work
Learning Outcomes Added
ScienceOfLearning: Evaluate and use effective strategies to learn or teach specific types of material
Heuristics: Know when to use heuristics and know when to avoid them.
BiasMitigation: Identify how biases arise and how to mitigate them.
Professionalism: Ensure that your communication follows established guidelines and use a careful editing process.