Module: Developmental & Educational Psychology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Developmental & Educational Psychology
Module Code	PSY1083 (ITS: PY210)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

How does a child develop, within the individual, family and social contexts? This module examines the theories that have been put forward about how we develop and the methods by which these theories have been arrived at. Topics such as: the role of gender in development; how we develop a sense of morality; the impact of a child's peer group on development and; how children deal with adversity will be examined. This module also introduces students to the field of Educational Psychology, and the contribution it makes to educational practice, with a focus on the work of the Educational Psychologist practitioner. Students will study what Educational Psychology research says about questions like: what causes some children to perform poorly at school?; why are some pupils unmotivated at school?; why are some pupils difficult to manage in class? and; how can children with learning difficulties be helped to overcome these problems?

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in both Developmental and Educational Psychology
2. Examine theories of psycholgoical development and what they state about the factors that influence an individual's development
3. Illustrate the ways in which an individual develops in context
4. Analyse the psychological factors that impact on student engagement and achievement in an educational context
5. Examine the contextual factors that impact on student achievement in an educational context
6. Assess the psycholgoical basis for the learning difficulties students may present with and how these can be assessed

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	18	Online distance learning classes and workshops
Online activity	60	Student-Tutor and Student-Student interaction through online discussion forums and other media
Independent Study	297	Using self-directed learning resources, textbooks and other resources
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11748	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Aoife McNicholl	Module Teacher	James Brunton

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	This first assessment is an online discussion of a developmental psychology topic.	25%	n/a
Essay	The second assessment is a literature review on a psychological topic	35%	n/a
Report(s)	This third, applied assessment has two parts. The first part involves writing a literature review relating to a contemporary issue in education, from an educational psychology perspective. The second part involves the creation of a communication, e.g. a digital information pamphlet or an infographic, that could be shared with the public, advising schools and educators on the specified educational psychology topic from part 1. With students permission the product of part 2 will be shared with the public.	40%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	l,
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Part 1: Developmental Psychology 1

- Introduction to Developmental Psychology

- The Developing Individual: The Child as Thinker

- The Child as Thinker: Information Processing

- Gender Differences and Development

Part 2: Developmental Psychology 2

- Development in Context: The Child in the Family

- The Developing Individual: Developing Morality

- Development in Context: The Child in the Peer Group

- Development Beyond Childhood: No Longer a Child?

- Development and Adversity: How do Children become Resilient?

Part 3: Educational Psychology 1

- What is Educational Psychology?

- Pupil Engagement and Classroom Management

- Pupil Motivation and Relationship with Teachers

- Factors Affecting Student Achievement: Systems and Schools

Part 4: Educational Psychology 2

- The Psychology of Pupil Motivation

- Individual Differences and Learner Readiness

- Reading Problems/Dyslexia

- Psychological and Educational Assessment

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Santrock, J.W: 2021, Child Development, 15th, McGraw-Hill Education,
Long, Martyn, et al.: 2010, The Psychology of Education : The Evidence Base for Teaching and Learning, Taylor & Francis Group,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None