WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY? Reflection question #1

What is Educational Psychology? A. Studying children’s understanding of the world by making detailed observations; B. Applying the methods of psychology to study classroom activities and school life; C. Research on individual differences, assessment, and learning behaviors; D. Research on how students learn concepts and remember; E. Research on how culture and social factors affect learning and development.

Educational Psychologists study: What happens when SOMEONE (teacher, parent, computer) Teaches SOMETHING (math, painting, dancing) To SOMEONE ELSE (student, team) In SOME SETTING (classroom, theater, gym) By this research on learning and teaching, they are working on improving educational practices. (Woolfolk, 12)

Common Sense (Theory) or Science-based Research? (Woolfolk, 12). What method should a teacher use in selecting students to participate in a primary grade reading class? A. Call on students randomly so everyone has to follow along and pay attention because they don’t know when their turn is coming. B. Going around the circle systematically and giving everyone a chance to participate.

Educational Psychologists study: What happens when SOMEONE (the teacher) Teaches SOMETHING (reading) To SOMEONE ELSE (primary students) In SOME SETTING (classroom reading circle) Through observations and scientific research, they discovered the best educational practices that led to better overall achievement for primary students in reading. Should teachers use common sense or research-based practices?

(Common Sense)Theory or Science-based Research? (Woolfolk, 13). Should a school encourage exceptionally bright students to skip grades or to enter college early? A. Disagree! Very intelligent students a year or two younger are not physically or emotionally ready to deal with older students and social situations. B. Agree! Bright children who have been accelerated can adjust well depending on their individual characteristics and maturity.

Your turn to be an Educational Psychologist: A. The smaller the class size, the more students learn. B. The more homework students complete, the more they learn. C. Girls learn more in same-gender classes than they do in mixed-gender classes. D. Students who doodle and draw pictures while taking notes do not listen or retain the information as well.

Are all of these statements true? Or are only some of them true? Are none of them true? A. The smaller the class size, the more students learn. B. The more homework students complete, the more they learn. C. Girls learn more in same-gender classes than they do in mixed-gender classes. D. Students who doodle and draw pictures while taking notes do not listen or retain the information as well.

“The search for answers to questions about teaching and learning often start with common sense” (O’Donnell, 2012). Personal experience helps teachers to reflect on what they believe to be true about learning.

Add to common sense what we can learn from Educational Psychology to : Provide objective, data-based evidence from carefully designed research studies to understand a particular question. Increase a teacher’s capacity for critical thinking in making informed decisions about learning and teaching. Base school programs and educational strategies on scientifically based research. (Woolfolk, 16).

Your turn to be an Educational Psychologist: A. The smaller the class size, the more students learn.

What does science-based research in Educational Psychology say about the answers to these questions? PICK ONE and find out! B. The more homework students complete, the more they learn. C. Girls learn more in same-gender classes than they do in mixed-gender classes. D. Students who doodle and draw pictures while taking notes do not listen or retain the information as well.

“The focus of educational psychology is on learning and improving educational practices. It requires an understanding of multiple factors that affect learning including teaching, motivation, development, education environments and assessment” (Shuell, 1996).

HOMEWORK: Monday, Aug. 27 BRING TEXTBOOK and COMPUTER IF POSSIBLE! Reflection question #1: (Written or typed and attached in red folder. Follow syllabus requirements for reflections.) What is the role of Educational Psychology? Review pages in Educational Psychology textbook Answer one of the 3 questions by explaining the educational research on it. Be ready to share in class.