Rationale
Educational psychology is a branch of psychology that is defined as ‘the study of people’s behaviour in relation to learning situations. Given the current highly complex educational system, the focus is on the processes by which information, skills, values and attitudes are transmitted from teachers to students in the classroom, and on applications of principles of psychology to the practice of instruction. The course is therefore important to a prospective teacher to be instrumental, effective and efficient in his/her future practice. The aim of this course is to equip the prospective teacher with knowledge into student’s behaviour, how they absorb and retain new information in order to promote learning and educational success for the students.  Of consideration in the course are theories of human development that provide basis to understand individual learning and to inform the instructional process. Students will learn about human growth and development, cognitive development, social development, personality dynamics, special education, learning, motivation and psychological processes.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students will be expected to:

i.    Explain the process of learning in educational learning theory
ii.    Analyse the various branches of psychology with specific focus on educational psychology.
iii.   Examine the fundamentals of special education.
iv.   Explain the different psychologists associated with educational learning theories.
v.    Discuss trend in student development.
vi.   Explain infancy and toddlerhood, as well as cognitive development of children.
vii.   Discuss physical, social, academic and cognitive difference in gender roles.
viii.  Discuss special education and learning.
ix.   Explain motivation and psychological processes and its relation to education.
x.    Discuss Piaget’s constructivism and Vygotsky’s constructivism.
xi.    Explain the relevance of social constructivism and behaviourism and the differences between the two concepts.