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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2014 - 2015

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 15
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
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



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Tutorial15No Description
Online activity60No Description
Independent Study300No Description
Total Workload: 375

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

Unit 1: Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Unit 2: The Developing Individual: The Child as Thinker

Unit 3: The Child as Thinker: Information Processing

Unit 4: Gender Differences and Development

Unit 5: Development in Context: The Child in the Family

Unit 6: The Developing Individual: Developing Morality

Unit 7: Development in Context: The Child in the Peer Group

Unit 8: Development Beyond Childhood: No Longer a Child?

Unit 9: Development and Adversity: How do Children become Resilient?

PART 2: Educational Psychology

Unit 10: What is Educational Psychology?

Unit 11: Pupil Engagement and Classroom Management

Unit 12: Pupil Motivation and Relationship with Teachers

Unit 13: Factors Affecting Student Achievement: Systems and Schools

Unit 14: The Psychology of Pupil Motivation

Unit 15: Individual Differences and Learner Readiness

Unit 16: Reading Problems/Dyslexia

Unit 17: Psychological and Educational Assessment

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Santrock, J.W: 2010, Child Development, Thirteenth, McGraw-Hill Education,
  • O’Donnell, A.M., Reeve, J., and Smith, J.K.: 2012, Educational Psychology; Reflection for Action, Third, Wiley, New York,
  • Slavin, R. E.: 2014, Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice., Tenth, Pearson, New Jersey [e-book],
Other Resources

None
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