PSY-256: Educational Psychology

This course is INACTIVE
School
Liberal Arts
Department
Psychology
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Psychology
Course Number
256
Course Title
Educational Psychology
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
ENG 131, ENG 132, and PSY 131 with a C grade or higher
Catalog Course Description

Applies the principles and theories of educational psychology to teaching and learning in diverse school settings.  Topics address learning and cognition.  C Course work examines how social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children proceeds academically. Also explores multicultural educational programs, principles and teaching methodologies, managing classroom discipline, motivating students to learn, leading classroom instruction, and assessing K-12 differences in students’ learning.

It is recommended that PSY 256 not be taken concurrently with PSY 152.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Goal Statement

The goal of this course is to provide an integrative approach in which students will be able to combine theoretical concepts with practical application.  Students will be able to increase their knowledge of learners’ learning processes.  They will also be able to apply their knowledge of educational psychology theories and best practices through classroom methods.

Core Course Topics
  1. Educational Psychology Theorists and their Theories
    1. Explain the concept of pedagogy and its implication for academic achievement.
    2. Identify educational psychology theorists and their pedagogical practices.
  2. Development of Children
    1. Compare and contrast the different social developmental stages of children within the learning setting.*
    1. Compare and contrast the different emotional developmental stages of children within the learning setting.*
    2. Compare and contrast the different physical developmental stages of children within the learning setting.*
    3. Compare and contrast the different cognitive developmental stages of children within the learning setting.*
  3. Learning and Cognition
    1. Diagram the information processing system and explain its application to retention and retrieval.*
    1. Identify memory facilitation strategies and reasons for forgetting.
    2. Demonstrate role modeling to facilitate learning.
    3. Describe the techniques of operant learning (reinforcement and punishment).
  4. Student Motivation
    1. Identify personal and classroom factors that influence motivation to learn.
    1. Describe how students and teachers can enhance academic achievement.
  5. Classroom Management Theories and Interventions
    1. Develop effective classroom management interventions.*
    1. Discuss appropriate and inappropriate uses of consequences.
  6. Methodologies and Instruction
    1. Compare and contrast direct teaching and constructivist teaching designs.*
    1. Describe the steps of the problem-solving process.
  7. Student Differences and Diversity
    1. Explain how socio-economic status and gender play a role in the educational attainment of children.
    1. Generate ways to address the different learning styles of students.*
    2. Design a lesson to reach children of different intelligence(s).*
    3. Discuss the rise of multiculturalism and its impact on educational programs.
  8. Testing and Measurement
    1. Identify the purposes for testing.
    2. Identify ways to measure student learning.
    3. Compare norm-referenced grading to criterion-referenced grading.
  9. Special Education
    1. Describe the purpose of special education laws.
    2. Discuss the pros and cons of labeling children.
    3. Describe the IEP process.
  10. Technology and the Classroom
    1. Identify the different types of technology available for classroom integration.
    2. Explain the research behind the effectiveness of technology on academic outcomes.
  11. Current Educational Issues and Trends

    Discuss and analyze contemporary educational issues and their implications forteaching and/or educational policy.*

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Each instructor will implement appropriate methods for assessing the achievement of the learning objectives in this course. 

In addition, a critical thinking assessment will include a reflective journal incorporating educational theories, concepts, and application.

Some other suggested assignments are listed below:

  1. Lesson Plan
  2. Test Analysis
  3. Self-designed rubric
  4. Professional Article Critique/Analysis
  5. Classroom Management Case Studies
Texts

Instructors will select a textbook from the approved departmental textbook list.

Outcomes

General Education Categories
  • Social Sciences
Institutional Outcomes
  • Civil Society and Culture - U.S. and Global
MTA Categories
  • Category 4: Social Sciences

Approval Dates

Effective Term
Fall 2019
Deactivation Date
ILT Approval Date
AALC Approval Date
Curriculum Committee Approval Date