Speakers: Professor Pankaj Sah and Dr. John Morris, Science of learning Research Centre, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland
Date: 21 July 2016 (Thursday)
Time: 9:00-13:00
Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Meng Wah Complex, HKU

Abstract

Feedback is one of the most successful methods for promoting learning. One question that this raises is “what is the most appropriate way to provide feedback?”.  We have addressed this issue using an animal model of Pavlovian learning in which feedback is provide either fully or partially – that is intermittently. Learning is done on day 1 and then the learnt information is tested over the next day during which learnt responses extinguish.  We find that partially reinforced learning is as effective as fully reinforced learning when feedback is provided in every instance. Interestingly, partially reinforced learning was less susceptible to extinction. I will describe the physiological differences that underpin partially reinforced learning and recall of learned items in a rodent model and testing of this model in human participants. I will discuss possible physiological mechanisms that underpin this difference and its possible relationship to learning in the classroom.