2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
EDUC1010 Psychological Approaches to Child Development and Education
20 creditsClass Size: 100
Module manager: Dr Paula Clarke
Email: p.j.clarke@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
Module replaces
EDUC1211 Psychological Approaches to Education – title change with no descriptive changes to module summary text. The catalogue entry remains the same as 22/23.This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module is about the application of psychological knowledge to education. You will learn about a broad range of theories and perspectives with a focus on lifespan developmental psychology running throughout the module. You will look at some of the big issues and debates in the field of education, such as the nature of effective teaching and the role of evidence from empirical research to inform practice. You will also be introduced to the use of psychological techniques in educational research. If you are interested in the application of psychology to education across the lifespan, and/or considering a career in teaching or related professions then this module will be relevant to your aims and interests.Objectives
The module aims to introduce and explore the relevance of psychological perspectives to education in terms of how they are used to understand education processes and practices, and how they influence ideas about the nature of education and learning, and special educational needs. The module will introduce you to some of the subfields in Psychology including cognition, developmental psychology, perception, language and communication, social psychology, and individual differences. It will introduce you to a range of theoretical issues and empirical evidence from research in the field of psychology, with a focus on areas that have had an application to education. The module will help you develop an ability to engage critically with a range of literature.Learning outcomes
In completing this module, the student should be able to:
- Discuss key topics in the fields of educational psychology, including developmental, cognitive, individual, social and biological psychology
- To be able to apply this knowledge, understanding and awareness, in an analytical, and critical fashion to education and special educational needs
- Develop a critical awareness of different theoretical approaches and big issues of debate in the field.
- Describe and evaluate different methodological approaches used in educational psychology research
- Develop a range of general skills in problem solving and effective communication
Skills outcomes
This module will surface the following skills relevant to employment in associated disciplines and UG programmes for which the module is core:
Academic Skills: Critical thinking, ethics, referencing, academic integrity and information searching. These skills will be developed though lecture tasks and problem solving, applying theory to educational contexts and through the assessment tasks.
Digital skills: Critical evaluation and adaptability. These skills are developed through the same means as academic skills, and also through the use of specific digital tools, tools for literature searching and through experience in using diverse digital platforms for learning.
Enterprise skills: Creativity and coping with uncertainty, ambiguity and risk. These skills are surfaced through the activities described earlier and through exploring key module themes in a changing climate of education provision, and applying knowledge to a specific context.
Sustainability skills: analysing complex systems, understanding relationships. Skills are surfaced through the exploration of ecological frameworks and models and understanding the social development of children and young people.
Work ready skills: Communication, Emotional intelligence, Commercial awareness, time management. Various modes of communication are fostered through the module such as through writing tasks, using images, class discussion etc. Content of the module looks at emotional development and how this can also be personally applied. There is exploration of education systems and settings to bring about commercial awareness, and there are several tasks and deadlines which require good time management to complete effectively.
Syllabus
(Indicative content)
Introduction to Psychology and Child Development
Behavioural Learning
Memory and Learning: An information processing perspective
Concept formation and the development of mental representations
The importance of attachment to development and learning
The developing sense of self and identity formation
Language and communication development
Biological, social and contextual influences on development and learning
Learner differences and Special Educational Needs
Contemporary applications of Psychology in Education Module themes and revision
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 2.00 | 22.00 |
| Seminar | 3 | 1.00 | 3.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 11.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 164.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
Independent learning will consist of students reviewing lecture captures and/or PowerPoint slides to ensure their note-taking is secure and accessing online discussion forums. Each week, a guided activity will be set to support learning in the session (e.g. accessing an online resource or analysing a journal article).Students will be required to prepare for lectures and seminars by completing weekly required reading. Students are expected to use private study time for wide reading and research around the set topics and to prepare questions for lectures and seminars.
Students will be required to use private study time to prepare for and reflect upon the development of their assignments. After extensive research, planning and preparation students will submit their assignments using the VLE.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students will have the opportunity to send the module tutor assignment plans for feedback. These must be no longer than 1 side of A4Progress will also be monitored through seminar contributions.
Students will be encouraged to keep in regular contact with the module tutor via email and a discussion board for frequently asked questions will be provided on the VLE.
Online teaching session contributions (seminars)
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1500 words | 30.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30.00 | |
Students will have the opportunity to send the module tutor assignment plans for feedback. These must be no longer than 1 side of A4
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48 hr 00 mins | 70.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 27/10/2023
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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