Learning Science Pathway
Overview of the Learning Science Pathway
Understanding how students learn is at the heart of effective teaching and course design. The Learning Science Pathway in the Pathways to Instructional Excellence program helps faculty create learning experiences that are engaging, accessible, purposeful, and responsive to students' needs. Grounded in research informed practices, participants will explore practical strategies for designing intuitive learning environments, making expectations and learning pathways transparent, and providing flexible opportunities that support diverse learners.
Participants will also examine how to balance academic rigor with cognitive load, ensuring students are appropriately challenged without creating unnecessary barriers to learning.
Essential Question for Learning Science
How do people learn best and how can I present content in ways that are engaging, understandable and that inspire curiosity and critical thinking?
Wilmington University's Academic Values
- Uphold high academic standards, enable student flexibility, and engage in real-world application.
- Present content in a ways that students can understand, answer questions, and have clear expectations.
The courses within this pathway are designed to build learning science expertise through accessible design, transparent learning experiences, flexible instruction, cognitive load awareness, and discipline-specific critical thinking. Together, these learning experiences help faculty design courses that engage learners, support meaningful learning, and balance academic rigor with student needs.
Courses in the Learning Science Pathway
| PIE Progression Level | PIE Course |
|---|---|
| Proficient, Elective | Building Connections through Storytelling |
| Mastery, Required | PYT (Personalize Your Course Template) |
| Mastery, Required | Transparent Teaching and Learning Practices |
| Exemplary, Required | Advancing Higher Ordered Thinking Skills |
The pathway is designed to cultivate both practical competencies and professional values. Faculty can expect to strengthen the learning science skills and instructional priorities highlighted below.
Skills
- Engaging and accessible design (user interface)
- Transparent design (user experience)
- Flexible, personalized instruction
- Balancing academic rigor and cognitive load
- Advancing discipline specific critical thinking and evaluation
Values
- Understanding how students learn and process information
- Responsiveness to learner variability and cognitive load
- Innovation through research-informed instructional practices
- Education designed for meaningful and lasting learning
Continue strengthening your understanding of how students learn.
The WilmU Learning Center provides access to pathway workshops and professional development opportunities that help faculty design engaging learning experiences, support diverse learners, and promote meaningful learning.