6.0.0 Educational Psychology

What is Educational Psychology? Anyone who has experienced a classroom setting has been affected by the theories and techniques that come from this field of psychology. Educational psychology can be defined in a lot of different ways, but the basic idea is that it's a field that studies and applies theories and concepts from all of psychology in educational settings. Educational settings might be schools, but also anywhere people learn, such as community groups, companies or even within families. The goal of educational psychology is to make any teacher-student relationship as positive as it can be, so that the student can learn to the best of their potential.

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6.1.1 Section 1 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• summarize the main topics of Educational Psychology
  
• explain the differences between the cognitive perspective and the behavioral perspective within Educational Psychology
  
• describe the different types/styles of learning and effective learning strategies
  
• explain the key characteristics of becoming an effective teacher
  
• describe the qualities of the Behavioral Perspective of Educational Psychology
  
• describe the qualities of the Cognitive Perspective of Educational Psychology
  
• describe the qualities of the Developmental Perspective of Educational Psychology
  
• describe the qualities of the Social Cognitive Perspective of Educational Psychology
  
• describe the qualities of the Constructivist Perspective of Educational Psychology
  

6.1.2 Section 1 Content

• What Is Educational Psychology?
  
• What Is Learning
  
• Understanding Effective Classroom Strategies
  
• Becoming An Effective Teacher
  
• Behavioral Perspective
  
• Cognitive Perspective
  
• Developmental Perspectives
  
• Social Cognitive Perspective
  
• Constructivist Perspective
  

6.2.1 Section 2 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• explain how sensation and perception work together in information processing
  
• summarize the gestalt principle of perception and organization
  
• list and define the different categories of memory
  
• describe how schemata helps us organize and understand the world around us
  
• illustrate the different types of information transfer
  
• define creativity, as it relates to cognitive psychology
  
• list barriers to creative thinking and explain how to overcome them
  
• categorize strategies for creative problem solving
  

6.2.2 Section 2 Content

• Cognitive Perspective Of Learning and Information Processing
  
• Categorizing Memory
  
• Knowledge Organization: Schemata
  
• Types Of Information Transfer
  
• How To Advance Creativity in A Learning Environment
  
• Types of Problems & Problem Solving Strategies
  

6.3.1 Section 3 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• list and describe the key components of the behavioral perspective within educational psychology
  
• explain how classical conditioning works in the classroom
  
• describe how operant conditioning acts as a form of learning
  
• summarize the different categories of reinforcement
  
• contrast the extrinsic and intrinsic forms of motivation
  
• define the Premack Principle as it is used in the classroom
  
• explain the process of shaping behavior towards a desired outcome
  
• apply principles of Psychology to reduce undesirable behaviors in others
  

6.3.2 Section 3 Content

• Behavioral Theory
  
• Classical Conditioning
  
• Operant Conditioning
  
• Applying The Premack Principle In The Classroom
  
• Shaping
  
• Reducing Undesirable Behaviors In The Classroom
  

6.4.1 Section 4 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• summarize the importance of motivation in an educational environment
  
• explain how motivation affects learning and behavior
  
• list and define the theoretical principles of motivation
  
• provide examples of the social-cognitive learning theory in action
  
• explain how attribution theory determines how we view success and failure
  
• distinguish between the constructs of goals and needs
  
• contrast between using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to enhance learning
  
• provide examples of applications of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
  
• list and explain the sources of intrinsic motivation
  
• justify the role of self-regulated learning in education
  

6.4.2 Section 4 Content

• The Importance Of Motivation
  
• Social Cognitive Learning Theory
  
• Attribution Theory And The Principle of Locus Of Control
  
• Goal Orientation Theory
  
• Using Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
  
• The Role Of Motivation in Self-Regulated Learning
  

6.5.1 Section 5 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• list and define different types of assessments
  
• explain the purposes of assessments
  
• demonstrate the criteria for choosing appropriate assessments
  
• discuss the four qualities of good assessments
  
• describe the guidelines of conducting performance assessments
  
• discuss the advantages and disadvantages of standardized tests in education
  
• explain the effects accountability plays in creating a high-stakes testing culture
  
• list common misuses of assessments in the classroom
  

6.5.2 Section 5 Content

• Forms Of Assessment
  
• Qualities Of Good Assessments
  
• Standardization, Practicality, Reliability and Validity
  
• Performance Assessments: Product vs. Process
  
• Standardized Tests in Education
  
• High Stakes Testing
  
• Use And Misuse Of Assessments In The Classroom

6.6.1 Section 6 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• list and describe four types of instructional strategies
  
• explain and contrast direct instruction and discovery instruction
  
• discuss reasons for adapting the learning environment for students
  
• summarize the key characteristics of differentiation
  
• give an overview of Bloom’s Taxonomy and its application in learning
  
• categorize the different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy
  
• identify differences between cooperative and collaborative learning
  
• explain the benefits of cooperative and collaborative learning
  

6.6.2 Section 6 Content

• Instructional Strategies
  
• Direct Instructions & Discovery Instruction
  
• Differentiated Instruction
  
• Bloom’s Taxonomy and Assessments
  
• Cooperative and Collaborative Learning
  
• Classroom Management Techniques