Unit 1 Flashcards
Concept and foundations of educational psychology - professional profile and functions of the educational psychologist
What is psychology?
it is the scientific study of people, minds, behavior and mental processes
What is educational psychology?
the brand of psychology that specializes in understanding the teaching and learning process in educational settings.
Why is educational psychology important for educators?
it provides insights, knowledge and practical theories that help tackle day-to-day issues encountered in teaching
How is educational psychology distinct as a discipline?
utilizes it’s own theories, research methods and techniques
What do educational psychologists do?
research learning and teaching, and work to improve educational policy and practice.
-> provide guiding principles for teachers to make informed decisions rather than direct instructions.
What is the objective of an educational psychologist?
to reflect on and intervene in human behavior within educational settings by developing the capacities of individuals, groups, and institutions.
-> address all psychological processes that affect learning or stem from it.
What is the relationship between psychology and educational psychology?
- nurtures from basic psychology
- enriches basic psychology
How does educational psychology nurture from basic psychology?
methods, concepts, theories and empirical research
How does educational psychology enriches basic psychology?
by giving explanations and theories to human behavior in educational contexts
What are the most specific functions of the educational psychologist?
- Assessment
- Psychological Counseling
What is Assessment?
Diagnosis in Educational Contexts -> Detection of Disfunction/problems -> Dyslexia, Anorexia, ADHD, ASK, high abilities, school climate, family
What is Psychological Counseling?
for students, parents, teachers and educational authorities
-> Students: intellectual, social, affective
-> Educational Authorities: decision making
What do sociologists analyze to understand behavior in educational psychology?
Sociologists use data to understand behavior at different levels and their interconnections, using micro, meso, and macro-level analysis.
What is the Micro System?
Small Systems - families, relationships, individuals
What is the Meso System?
Medium Systems - organizations, communities, political parties, ethnic groups
What is the Macro System?
Large Systems - Nations, Legal Systems, Economies
What are School, Societies and Family in the Systems?
Micro - Family
Meso - School
Macro - Societies
What is the curriculum?
Lessons and assessments that will be taught in an educational institution by a teacher
What does the success of teaching depend on?
The combination of what teachers know and how they convey that knowledge effectively to their students
What do teachers try every day?
to change the human brain
-> the more they know about how they learn, the more successful they can be
What is the role of educational psychologists in the professional collective?
- represent one of the largest areas within the professional collective
- focusing on improving educational outcomes
- supporting student well-being
What are key functions of a school counselor?
Academic Guidance
Emotional and Social Support
Career Guidance
Crisis Intervention
Conflict Resolution
What is ‘false learning’ and what does it illustrate about teaching?
‘False Learning’ refers to the phenomenon where students may memorize information without truly understanding it.
-> illustrates the importance of asking questions that promote deeper understanding rather than rote memorization.
Who are the founders of educational psychology?
was founded by several pioneers in the late 19th century, including:
William James (1842-1910)
John Dewey (1859-1952)
E.L. Thorndike (1874-1949)
What were William James’s contributions to Educational Psychology?
- launched first psychology textbook
- lecture: talk to teachers
- importance of observing teaching and learning in the classroom in order to improve education
What was William James recommendation?
start the lesson at a point just beyond the child’s level of knowledge to stretch the child’s mind
What were John Dewey’s key ideas in Educational Psychology?
- viewed children as active learners (better learning through doing)
- education should help children adapt to their environment + reflective problem solvers
- all children deserve competent education
Who established the first educational psychology laboratory in the USA?
John Dewey
What were E.L. Thorndike’s contributions to Educational Psychology?
- focus on assessment and measurement of learning (scientific basis)
- one of key tasks is to develop children’s reasoning skills
- conducted detailed scientific studies on teaching and learning (should be grounded in scientific measurement
Who argued that children should not sit quietly in their seats and learn in a rote manner?
John Dewey
Can good teaching be taught?
Yes.
What do Borman and Kimball say about teaching?
there are behaviors and skills that define an exceptional teacher
What do Ball and Forzani (2010) say about the principles of good teaching?
good teaching has to be observed and practiced but there are principles of good teaching that teachers need to know
What is an example of effective classroom management by a teacher?
In a high school math class, a teacher notices two students whispering at the back. Without disrupting the lesson, the teacher walks towards them, prompting them to stop whispering and focus. This proactive approach resolves minor behavioral issues before they escalate.
what are the 3 effective teaching principles?
- intentional teacher
- 21st century skills
- common core standards
What does it mean to be an intentional teacher?
doing things for a reason, on purpose
-> they constantly think about the outcomes
what does an intentional teacher know?
that maximum learning does not happen by chance
what must an intentional teacher have?
goals and a purpose, they must be reflective and flexible
What do intentional teachers use?
a wide variety of teaching methods, experiences, tasks, materials
-> ensures that children are achieving diverse cognitive objectives
-> love for learning, respect for others, personal responsibility
How do beliefs about intelligence influence teaching?
Teachers who believe that success is due to children’s innate intelligence, or other factors beyond teachers’ influence will not teach in the same way as those who believe their efforts are key to children’s learning.
What are 21st century skills?
The educators focus on teaching skills, attitudes, and ways of working.
What experiences do students need for 21st Century Skills?
Working in groups, solving problems, critical reading and thinking creatively
Which educational philosophies support 21st Century Skills?
John Dewey’s philosophy and others from the early 20th century.
What are the Common Core State Standards?
Standards adopted by many states in the USA to ensure consistent education.
What skills do Common Core And College-and Career-ready Standards according to Kendall, 2011 emphasize?
Flexibility, creative problem solving, ability to use technology and to participate in active discussions in one-to-one, small groups and whole class settings
What is the focus on in Common Core State Standards?
writing, speaking, and argumentation in small groups