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EDCC 323 NOTES:STUDY UNIT 1:
Introduction: What is Education?
• Definition: Education is a lifelong process that involves the acquisition of knowledge, skills,
values, and attitudes.
• Education helps individuals realize their potential and prepares them for societal integration.
• It facilitates the transmission of cultural values, beliefs, and societal norms to younger
generations.
• Education also helps individuals to be responsible and productive members of society.
What is Psychology?
• Definition: Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes.
• It explores how people think, feel, and act, both individually and in groups.
What is Educational Psychology?
• Definition: Educational psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how people learn
and the factors that affect learning.
• It combines both education and psychology to help understand how students can be taught
effectively.
Functions of Educational Psychology:
• Understanding Learning Processes: Educational psychology helps educators understand the
learning processes of individuals.
• Modifying Behaviour: It provides strategies for modifying behaviour to enhance learning.
• Developing Effective Teaching Methods: It supports the development of teaching methods that
cater to the diverse needs of learners.
• Assessing Abilities: Educational psychology provides tools to measure learners' abilities,
progress, and challenges.
• Assisting with Emotional and Social Development: It helps address emotional and social
challenges learners may face in the classroom.
Educational Psychologists in South Africa:
Educational psychologists in South Africa work in various capacities to:
• Assess and intervene in learning difficulties.
, • Provide guidance and support to parents and families.
• Conduct teacher training and community education.
• Offer learner support services.
• Conduct research on factors that influence learners' academic and social development.
Theoretical Approaches in Educational Psychology:
• Over the years, educational psychology has shifted from traditional medical models to more
holistic, systemic approaches that consider the interactions between learners and their
environments.
Medical Model in Education:
• The medical model focuses on diagnosing and treating learners' disabilities and learning
difficulties.
• Criticism: The medical model often isolates learners and overlooks the systemic factors that
affect their learning experiences.
Systemic Approach:
• This approach considers the interdependence between learners and their social environments.
• It focuses on how different aspects of a learner's life interact to influence their learning
experiences.
Relevance of Educational Psychology for Teachers:
Educational psychology is crucial for teachers because it:
• Helps teachers understand the diverse needs of learners.
• Supports the development of appropriate educational goals.
• Informs teaching strategies that are tailored to learners' cognitive and emotional needs.
• Enhances classroom management by providing insights into learner behaviour.
• Promotes an understanding of learner diversity and individual differences.
Research and Intervention:
Educational psychologists conduct research and intervene to:
• Address emotional and behavioural difficulties in learners.
• Provide strategies to enhance cognitive development and motivation.
, • Offer support for effective classroom management.
Interesting Research Findings:
Some notable findings from educational psychology research include:
• Relationship and Rigor: Caring about learners’ well-being improves their academic
achievement.
• Effective Highlighting: Teaching learners how to properly highlight key information improves
retention.
• Inclusive Education: Including students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms boosts their
academic and social skills.
• Sketchnotes: Using sketchnotes improves learners' comprehension and recall of information.
• Brain Breaks: Short, outdoor breaks increase focus and readiness to learn.
Goals of Educational Psychology and Learner Support
• Educational psychology and learner support aim to:
o Understand how students learn and identify barriers to learning.
o Develop and implement strategies to remove learning barriers.
o Promote the overall development (cognitive, emotional, social) of learners in
educational settings.
o Assist educators in providing effective teaching methods based on psychological
theories and research.
Differences Between Educational Psychology and Learner Support
• Educational Psychology:
o Focuses on understanding the learning processes, how individuals learn, and what
influences learning.
o Uses research and theory to create strategies that enhance the learning environment.
• Learner Support:
o Focuses on providing specific interventions and resources to assist learners in
overcoming challenges.
o Often involves direct interaction with learners who are facing difficulties.
The Role of Educational Psychology in Teacher Education
, • Teachers benefit from educational psychology as it provides:
o An understanding of how different learners absorb information.
o Insight into classroom management and ways to deal with diverse learner behaviours.
o Strategies to tailor teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles and
cognitive abilities.
o Tools to measure learner progress and identify areas where support is needed.
Application of Educational Psychology in the Classroom
1. Understanding Learners:
o Teachers can better understand learner needs and challenges by applying psychological
principles.
o This understanding helps in creating a supportive and conducive learning environment.
2. Formulating Goals:
o Educational psychology assists teachers in formulating realistic and achievable goals for
their students.
o Goals should be individualized, considering the learning pace and abilities of different
students.
3. Teaching Methods:
o Educational psychology supports the development of effective teaching methods
tailored to diverse learners.
o It informs the use of visual aids, hands-on activities, and other instructional techniques
to enhance learning.
How Educational Psychology Benefits Learners
• Improved Learning Outcomes: Through evidence-based teaching methods, learners can
achieve better academic performance.
• Better Classroom Engagement: By addressing the emotional and social needs of students,
educational psychology fosters a more engaging learning environment.
• Targeted Interventions: Learners who struggle with specific subjects can receive interventions
that are based on psychological research, improving their performance in those areas.
Research in Educational Psychology
Educational psychologists conduct research to explore how different factors influence learning. Areas of
focus include:
• Motivation: How to motivate learners and sustain their interest in learning.
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