Psychological
Foundations
of Learning and Development
EDU 3506
COURSE: Psychological Foundations of Learning and Development
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jackie Eldridge
OFFICE: 11-160
PHONE: 923-6641 Ext. 2643
E-MAIL: jeldridge@oise.utoronto.ca
NATURE OF THE COURSE
This course focuses on the psychological principles of learning and development in childhood and adolescence, with particular emphasis on their relevance and application to schooling. Its goal is to introduce students to key psychological concepts, such as intelligence and motivation, and their interrelations with the diverse developmental characteristics of the learner. Students will also be encouraged to consider the independent and interactive roles of the student, the family, the school, and society in the learning process.
The instructional processes that will be studied in the Teacher Education Seminar (e.g. Cooperative Learning, Lesson Design, Framing Questions etc.) have a natural connection to the topics studied in this course. As a result there will be overlap of course content and assignments between the two courses. In addition, there will be reference to material studied in the Language Arts course and Special Education seminars.
As a student in this course you will understand that:
COURSE MATERIALS
Armstrong, Thomas (1994). Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Gardner, Howard (1991). The Unschooled Mind: How Children Think and How Schools Should Teach. New York, New York: Basic Books.
Sprenger, Merilee (1999). Learning and Memory: The Brain in Action.. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Selected readings will be distributed in class or accessed electronically through the OISE/UT website.
Recommended Readings:
Biehler, R.F., & Snowman, J. (1997). Psychology Applied to Teaching. (Eighth Edition). New York: Houghton Mifflen Company.
Bullough, Robert V. Jr., & Gitlin, A. (1995). Becoming a Student of Teaching: Methodologies for Exploring Self and School Context. New York: Garland Publishing, Inc.
Carreiro Paul. (1998). Tales of Thinking: Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom: York, Maine: Stenhouse Publishers.
Gibbs, Jeanne. (1995). Tribes: A New Way of Learning and Being Together.Sausalito, California: Center Source Systems
ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION
Assignment Number One -
Portfolio - 30 Marks
For this assignment you will refer
to the Cross-Course
information sheet.
Assignment Number Two -
Reflective Journal - 10 Marks
For this assignment you will refer
to the Cross-Course
information sheet.
Assignment Number Three - Lesson Design - 15 Marks First Semester and 20 Marks Second Semester
First Semester
Design a lesson for one of your placement classes. In your plan, demonstrate that you can apply your understanding of conceptual "lenses," including learner-centred psychological principles. You must show how these "lenses" inform your judicious selection of a variety of instructional processes, and illustrate how these processes work together to create an effective environment for learning. Devise a rubric for your work, score it, and submit it with your lesson plan. You may choose to do this assignment with a candidate-colleague who is teaching at the same school as you. This assignment is due on December 5, 2000.
Second Semester
Design a lesson for your placement class, following the same objectives and directions outlines for the first semester assignment. Then teach the lesson. Your second semester lesson should reflect the development of your instructional expertise since the first semester. Afterwards, write a two-page reflection on what transpired, focusing on the psychological dimensions of the lesson. What worked well and with which students? What didn't and why? What would you do differently if you could teach the lesson over again? Devise a rubric for your work, score it, and submit it with your lesson plan and reflection. This assignment is due on April 2, 2001.
Assignment Number Four
-In-class Inquiry- 10 Marks
In this assignment you will
participate in a collaborative inquiry into some aspects of the
psychological foundations of learning and development. These will be
mini inquiries that will involve short reflection sheets and group
discussion.
Assignment Number Five -
Professionalism - 15 Marks
For this assignment you will refer
to the Cross-course
information sheet.