Course Schedule and Topic Overview: Psychology of Education (EDUC 210 A)

Course Overview: Psychology of Education

This syllabus outlines the weekly topics, assessments, and required readings for EDUC 210 A: Psychology of Education. The course covers foundational concepts in educational psychology, cognitive development, learner differences, motivation, and best practices in teaching and learning. Below is a structured summary of the main topics and subtopics, with academic context to support student understanding.

Course Structure and Weekly Topics

Week	Main Topic	Subtopic/Module	Assessment	Reading
1	Introduction	Learning, Teaching, and Educational Psychology	In-class activity	Woolfolk et al.: Chapter 1
2	Introduction	Learning, Teaching, and Educational Psychology	In-class activity	Woolfolk et al.: Chapter 3
3-4	Cognitive Development	Module 2A & 2B	Check Your Knowledge 1	Woolfolk et al.: Chapters 3 & 4
5-6	Self, Social, and Moral Development	Module 3A & 3B	Check Your Knowledge 2	Woolfolk et al.: Chapter 5
7-8	Learner Differences and Learning Needs	Module 4A & 4B	Check Your Knowledge 3	Woolfolk et al.: Chapters 2, 6
9-10	Language and Multicultural Diversity	Module 5A & 5B	Quiz 1, Check Your Knowledge 4	Woolfolk et al.: Chapters 2, 6
11	Behavioural Theories	Module 6A	Check Your Knowledge 5	Woolfolk et al.: Chapter 7
12	Behavioural Theories; Research Fair	Module 6B	Research Presentation	Woolfolk et al.: Chapter 8
13	Exam Period	-	-	None
14	Holiday Break	-	-	None
15-16	Cognitive Views of Learning	Module 7A & 7B	Check Your Knowledge 7	Woolfolk et al.: Chapters 9, 10
17-18	Metacognition, Strategic Learning, Social Constructivism	Module 8A & 8B	Check Your Knowledge 8, Quiz 2	Woolfolk et al.: Chapter 11
19-20	Motivation	Module 9A & 9B	Check Your Knowledge 9	Woolfolk et al.: Chapters 12, 13
21-22	Creating Learning Environments	Module 10A & 10B	Check Your Knowledge 10	Woolfolk et al.: Chapter 14
23-24	Best Practices; Evaluating Teaching and Learning	Module 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B	Check Your Knowledge 11	Woolfolk et al.: Chapter 15
T.B.D.	Final Exam	-	Check Your Knowledge 12	Prepare for Final Exam

Topic Summaries

Learning, Teaching, and Educational Psychology

This introductory module explores the foundational principles of educational psychology, focusing on how learning occurs and the role of teaching in facilitating student development.

• Educational Psychology: The study of how people learn in educational settings, the effectiveness of educational interventions, and the psychology of teaching.

• Learning Theories: Includes behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.

• Application: Understanding these theories helps educators design effective instruction.

Cognitive Development

This topic examines how thinking and reasoning abilities develop in children and adolescents, with emphasis on major theories and their classroom implications.

• Key Theorists: Jean Piaget (stages of cognitive development), Lev Vygotsky (sociocultural theory).

• Stages of Development: Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational.

• Example: Piaget's theory suggests that children in the concrete operational stage can perform logical operations on concrete objects.

Self, Social, and Moral Development

This module covers the development of self-concept, social relationships, and moral reasoning in educational contexts.

• Self-Concept: How students perceive themselves affects motivation and achievement.

• Moral Development: Kohlberg's stages of moral reasoning.

• Application: Teachers can foster positive social and moral development through classroom climate and activities.

Learner Differences and Learning Needs

This topic addresses individual differences among learners, including cognitive abilities, learning styles, and special educational needs.

• Individual Differences: Intelligence, learning disabilities, giftedness.

• Inclusive Education: Strategies for supporting diverse learners.

• Example: Differentiated instruction adapts teaching to meet varied student needs.

Language and Multicultural Diversity

This module explores the impact of language development and cultural diversity on learning and teaching.

• Language Acquisition: The process by which students learn language, including first and second languages.

• Multicultural Education: Teaching strategies that respect and incorporate students' cultural backgrounds.

• Application: Culturally responsive teaching improves engagement and achievement.

Behavioural Theories

Behavioural theories focus on observable behaviors and the role of reinforcement and punishment in learning.

• Classical Conditioning: Learning through association (Pavlov).

• Operant Conditioning: Learning through consequences (Skinner).

• Equation: $\text{Behavior} \xrightarrow{\text{Reinforcement}} \text{Increased Likelihood}$

Cognitive Views of Learning

Cognitive theories emphasize internal mental processes such as memory, problem-solving, and information processing.

• Information Processing Model: Describes how information is encoded, stored, and retrieved.

• Working Memory: The system for temporarily holding and manipulating information.

• Equation: $\text{Learning} = \text{Encoding} + \text{Storage} + \text{Retrieval}$

Metacognition, Strategic Learning, and Social Constructivism

This module examines how students monitor and regulate their own learning, and how social interactions contribute to knowledge construction.

• Metacognition: Awareness and control of one's own learning processes.

• Social Constructivism: Learning as a collaborative process (Vygotsky).

• Application: Group work and peer teaching enhance learning.

Motivation

Motivation theories explain what drives students to learn and persist in educational tasks.

• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation: Internal desire to learn vs. external rewards.

• Self-Determination Theory: Emphasizes autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

• Equation: $\text{Motivation} = f(\text{Expectancy}, \text{Value})$

Creating Learning Environments

This topic focuses on strategies for managing classrooms and fostering positive learning climates.

• Classroom Management: Techniques for maintaining order and supporting learning.

• Learning Environment: Physical, social, and psychological factors that affect learning.

• Example: Establishing clear rules and routines promotes student engagement.

Best Practices and Evaluating Teaching and Learning

The final modules address evidence-based teaching strategies and methods for assessing student learning and instructional effectiveness.

• Assessment: Formative and summative assessment techniques.

• Reflective Practice: Teachers evaluate and improve their own teaching.

• Application: Using assessment data to inform instruction.

Assessment Overview

• Check Your Knowledge: Regular formative assessments to reinforce learning.

• Quizzes: Summative assessments covering multiple modules.

• Research Presentation: Application of psychological principles to educational research.

• Final Exam: Comprehensive assessment of course content.

Required Readings

• Textbook: Woolfolk et al., Educational Psychology (specific chapters assigned weekly).

Additional info: The syllabus provides a logical progression through foundational and advanced topics in educational psychology, supporting both theoretical understanding and practical application for future educators.