James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

ED1481 - Educational Psychology: Learners and Learning

Townsville Mixed attendance available only to RATEP students. JCU Online offering is available only to Online B Ed ECE and Primary students enrolled in the carousel offering.

Subject Description

This subject explores children's growth and development from birth to 18 years. Pre-service teachers will explore physical, cognitive, moral, psychosocial and emotional domains of human development, and reflect on the complex interactions between them via constructivist, behaviourist and humanistic approaches to learning and teaching. An overview of ethical theories is provided to prepare pre-service teachers for the ethical and professional dimensions of teaching. Pre-service teachers will examine and apply the most empirically-established models of development and behaviour to authentic, problem-based scenarios. Current research on intelligence, motivation, cultural and learning diversity, and recent neuroscience findings related to development are also outlined.

Learning Outcomes

• 1. apply educational theories of physical, cognitive and psychosocial development to explain the characteristics of children and adolescents, and how these may affect learning
• 2. critically analyse and apply research into how students learn, and the implications for teaching practice
• 3. identify differentiated teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning needs of diverse students across the full range of abilities
• 4. describe practical approaches to manage challenging behaviour and create supportive and safe learning environments in accordance with school/system and legislative requirements
• 5. reflect on and apply the key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct that underpin the teaching profession

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Examination (College administered) - (50%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Availabilities