Course Outline

CONTENT

Topic 1: Basic Concepts in Educational Psychology
This unit explains the concepts of psychology in general, which includes a definition of psychology, the historical development of psychology andapproaches in psychology. Various fields of physiology are also explained with focus on the field of educational psychology and its purposes. The unit ends with a discussion on the importance of educational psychology to teachers.

Topic 2: Human Development
Topic 2 explains the concept of human development. The explanation of this concept begins with a definition of human development, the principles of human development and factors influencing development. This is followed by an explanation of six theories of human development which are the psychoanalytic theory, the cognitive theory, the behaviourism theory, the socio-cognitive theory,the ethological theory and the ecological theory. Human development is discussed based on the three levels of development, namely, early childhood (1 ????6 years), middle childhood (6 ???? 12 years) and adolescence (13 ???? 21 years). At the end of the unit, the implications of the theories of human development for teachers are discussed.

Topic 3: Individual Differences
Topic 3 discusses individual differences. Genetic and environmental factors that contribute to individual differences are included in the discussion. This isfollowed by an explanation of the theories of individual differences. The implications of individual differences for teachers and how to teach different
individuals are described.

Topic 4: Personality
This topic discusses an individualÊs personality from the aspects of behaviour, thinking and emotion and how interactions occur between individuals. Important theories in psychology including the behaviourist and psychoanalytic theories areintroduced. Definitions and concepts of personality as well as the application of
knowledge about personality will also be discussed.

Topic 5: Learning Psychology
Topic 5 explains the aspects of learning, such as the concepts, characteristics, types and principles of learning. Factors that influence learning will also be discussed.

Topic 6: Learning Theories
Topic 6 discusses the theories of learning including the behaviourist, cognitive, social and constructivist learning theories. Classroom teaching and learning approaches such as direct instruction, mastery learning and cooperative learning will be described.

Topic 7: Intelligence, Thinking, Reasoning and Metacognition
This topic introduces the different methods of thinking including creative thinking, critical thinking and thinking skills in the classroom. Other topics thatare discussed include metacognition and the factors that influence it.

Topic 8: Special Education
Topic 8 focuses on students with learning problems such as physical and mental disabilities. The purposes and characteristics of special education will be discussed. Different examples of special education are described, which includes the enrichment and remedial programmes.

Topic 9: Programmes for Students with Special Needs
This topic discusses programmes for students with special needs. These programmes were developed to assist this group of students to be independent.These students need short and long term special guidance through programmes such as the inclusive, remedial and enrichment programmes.

Topic 10: A Conducive Teaching and Learning Environment
This topic is a continuation of Topic 9. This topic discusses the preparation of a conducive class to create an effective teaching and learning environment. Among the steps that have been taken are the creation of motivated models of teaching and learning.