Educational Psychology and Effective Teaching

Learning Goals

  • Educational Psychology Definition: A branch of psychology focused on understanding teaching and learning processes in educational settings.
  • Effective Teacher Attributes: Identify essential attitudes and skills that contribute to effective teaching.
  • Importance of Research: Explain why research is crucial for effective teaching and how educational psychologists and teachers conduct and evaluate it.

Historical Background of Educational Psychology

  • Key Figures:

    • William James (1842–1910):
    • Advocated for observing teaching methods and student learning in classrooms.
    • Suggested that lessons should begin just beyond a child's current knowledge to encourage mental growth.
    • John Dewey (1859–1952):
    • Viewed children as active participants in learning, emphasizing adaptation to their environments.
    • Established the first major educational psychology lab in the U.S. and pushed for quality education for all children.
    • E. L. Thorndike (1874–1949):
    • Introduced the importance of assessment and measurement in learning.
    • Advocated for a scientific basis for educational psychology, focusing on measurement.

  • Notable Contributions:

    • Leta Hollingworth (1916): Coined the term "gifted" for students with high IQ scores.
    • George Sanchez (1932): Demonstrated cultural bias in intelligence testing against minority children.
    • Mamie and Kenneth Clark (1939): Researched African-American children’s identity and self-perception.

The Behavioral Approach

  • B. F. Skinner (1938):
    • Expanded on Thorndike’s work by investigating optimal learning conditions.
    • Introduced programmed learning in the 1950s, which involves reinforcement following a sequence of steps towards a learning goal.

The Cognitive Revolution

  • Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Skills (1950s):
    • Categorizes skills into levels: remembering, comprehending, synthesizing, evaluating.
  • Cognitive Psychology (1980s):
    • Focused on memory, thinking, and reasoning to enhance student learning.

Teaching as both Art and Science

  • Balance of Art and Science:
    • Teaching incorporates both researched-based practices and the art of personal experience.
    • Educational psychology is informed by broader psychological theories and research while also relying on teachers' practical experiences.

Effective Teaching Principles

  • Professional Knowledge and Skills:

    • Subject Matter Knowledge: Teachers should demonstrate a deep understanding of their subject matter.
    • Teaching Subject Matter Knowledge: Requires using effective instructional strategies to enhance student comprehension.
    • Teaching Knowledge: Recognizing how students best acquire and retain subject knowledge.

  • Focus on Learning Process:

    • Effective teachers emphasize how to learn over what to learn, promoting comprehension and critical thinking.
    • Strategies include involving students in the learning process and modeling good thinking skills.

  • Promotion of Academic Success:

    • Set high goals, design developmentally appropriate materials, and manage learning environments effectively.
    • Encourage motivation, possess strong assessment skills, and integrate technology.

  • Cultural Awareness and Communication:

    • Work with diverse backgrounds and communicate effectively with students and parents.
    • Reflect on personal biases and experiences in teaching.

Characteristics of Effective Teachers

  • Commitment, Motivation, and Caring:

    • Positive attitudes toward students and education.
    • Willingness to invest time and effort into teaching.
    • Display enthusiasm in the classroom for better student engagement.

  • Negatively Impacting Characteristics:

    • Understanding the traits that contribute to ineffective teaching can help in enhancing teaching practices.