ED1481 - Foundations of Educational Psychology

Limited offering available only to RATEP students. External offering available only to students enrolled in the BEd (Early Childhood Education).

This subject explores children's growth and development from birth to the age of 18 with an emphasis on childhood and adolescence. Preservice teachers will encounter physical, cognitive, moral, psychosocial and emotional domains of human development and reflect on the complex interactions between them. In addition, an overview of ethical theories is outlined to prepare preservice teachers for the ethical and professional dimensions of teaching. They will briefly examine the historical and philosophical antecedents of theoretical models and critically apply the most empirically established models explaining human development and behaviour. Preservice teachers will examine current research and basic understanding of intelligence, motivation, special educational needs, and recent neuroscience findings related to development. In order to interpret course concepts critically they will engage and reflect on constructivist, behaviourist and humanistic approaches to learning and teaching.

Learning Outcomes

• develop problem solving skills and the ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• demonstrate the ability to critique and apply developmental theories;
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts informing teaching and learning;
• critically use theory to explore and respond to an authentic problem-based scenario;
• demonstrate Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and for BEd (ECE) students an understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework at an introduced level.

Note: 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.