D186: Learning as a Science

Learning as a Science brings genuine learning-science research into the curriculum design conversation — motivation, retention, and social-emotional skill development, all evidence-based.

What D186 covers

The course examines how research from the field of learning sciences can be applied to improve teaching and learning. It explains how teachers can create a sense of community by examining personal biases and establishing a culturally inclusive learning environment.

The course provides evidence-based strategies for improving motivation, increasing understanding and retention, and teaching social-emotional skills that students need to be successful socially and academically. There are no prerequisites for this course.

The D186 performance assessment

Expect a performance assessment requiring you to apply a learning-science principle (e.g., motivation research) to design an instructional strategy for a given classroom scenario.

Key topics in D186

• Learning sciences research application
• Culturally inclusive learning environments
• Evidence-based motivation and retention strategies

Writing tips for D186

Follow the task instructions and rubric line by line

WGU performance assessments for D186 are graded against a fixed rubric — every rubric line has to be visibly addressed, usually with a labeled heading that mirrors the rubric language. Skipping a rubric point because it seems minor is the single most common reason a competent submission comes back "Not Yet Competent" for revision.

Ground curriculum recommendations in a specific grade level and subject

Curriculum and Instruction courses like D186 typically ask you to apply design principles to a specific grade level, subject, and student population rather than write about curriculum design in the abstract. Evaluators are checking whether your reasoning fits that concrete classroom situation.

Because WGU is self-paced, don't let "no deadline pressure" become no submission

There's no weekly due date forcing progress, which means procrastination costs more at WGU than at a traditional term-based school — a stalled task can quietly eat weeks of a term. Treat your own target date for each D186 assessment as a real deadline.

Why students seek help with D186

Candidates sometimes cite learning-science research generically without tracing its specific mechanics through to the strategy recommendation — the rubric typically wants that theory-to-strategy link made explicit.

How GradeEssays helps with D186

Share your classroom scenario and rubric, and your writer will build a strategy with the learning-science principle genuinely traced through to the recommendation, not cited superficially.

Prerequisites and program context

D186 has no prerequisites.

• Master of Science, Curriculum and Instruction

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