ESE 251 - Educational Psychology

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Overview of how children develop (physically, psychologically, socially, and cognitively) and the ways in which this information guides instruction. Includes theories of how learning is constructed and describes various factors that impact learning, such as student differences, motivation, engagement, classroom management, differentiated instruction, metacognition, assessment, and teacher self-reflection.

Information: Post-Degree Teacher Certification Program approval is required before enrolling in this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Examine major theories of human development. (Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) 1; Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 1)
Describe the role of teacher bias and expectations. (InTASC 2; CEC 1)
Explain major learning theories. (InTASC 1; CEC 2)
Identify strategies for motivating learners. (InTASC 3; CEC 2)
Define terms related to educational assessment. (InTASC 6; CEC 4)
Synthesize key concepts in educational psychology. (InTASC 1, 2, 3; CEC 1, 2, 4)

Outline:

Theories of Development
1. Psychosocial (Erickson)
2. Cognitive (Piaget)
3. Social Cognitive (Vygotsky)
4. Developmental stages
5. Moral development
Student Differences
1. Mindsets and teacher bias
2. Multiple intelligences and learning styles
3. Gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, culture
4. Disabilities and giftedness
Learning Theories
1. Behavioral
2. Information-processing
3. Social cognitive
4. Constructivist
Motivation and Engagement
1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
2. Building relationships
3. Classroom management
4. Bullying and violence
Assessment
1. Formative vs. summative assessment
2. Classroom-based vs. high-stakes testing
3. Assessment/evaluation vocabulary
4. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
5. Technology based
Approaches to Instruction
1. Inclusion
2. Grouping
3. Differentiated instruction
4. Metacognition and self-regulated learning