DEPT. OF PSYCHOLOGY & COUNSELING
College of Education
Pittsburg State University
Fall 2009
Course #: PSYCH 357-02 (MWF 10:00) Title: Educational Psychology
PSYCH 810 (See instructor for additional requirements)-Adv. Ed Psych
Credit Hours: 3
Course Location: 307 Whitesitt Hall
Instructor: Becky Brannock, Ph.D., LPC
Office Phone: (620)235-4569
Professor (rbrannoc@pittstate.edu)
Office Location: 205A Whitesitt
Office Hours: (M)12-2 (T)None; Off
campus supervision (W)1-4 (Th)10-11 & 24 (F)11-1 (Additional times by appt.)
________________________________________________________________________
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course, Educational Psychology, relates important aspects of psychological theory to
practical applications in an educational setting. The broad area of study encompasses
many topics including, but not limited to, theoretical issues (i.e.: behavioral & cognitive
views of learning, discipline models, individual differences among students, motivation,
and ethnic/cultural influences), classroom management, assessment, and evaluation (i.e.:
educational statistics, testing, and grading).
II. PREREQUISITES
A. Successful completion (grade of “C” or above) in: General Psychology (PSYCH 155)
and Developmental Psychology (PSYCH 263).
B. Concurrent enrollment or successful completion of Clinical Experience is
recommended if the student is an Education major.
III. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The purpose of the course is to prepare prospective teachers with the knowledge and
skills necessary for providing positive classroom learning experiences to all students; to
provide an understanding of how humans learn; and, to provide an understanding of
various methods of assessing classroom learning.
IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
A. Formulate a personal classroom management plan.
B. Comprehend the theoretical aspects of educational psychology and their relevance to
the teaching setting.
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C. Utilize various classroom techniques including methods of instruction, management,
assessment and evaluation.
D. Understand the nature of the learning process and factors which influence the
quantity, quality and rate of learning.
E. Appreciate individual differences (i.e.: cultural, gender, SES, intelligence, etc.) by
comprehending the reasons for these differences in individuals.
F. Be able to access educational internet websites and utilize e-mail.
V. INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
A. REQUIRED TEXTS:
Eggen, P., & Kauchak, D. (2010). Educational psychology: Windows on
classrooms (8th ed.). New York: Merrill.
Charles, C.M. (2008). Building classroom discipline (9th ed.). White Plains,
NY: Longman.
VI. TEACHING STRATEGIES
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Lectures
Class Discussions
Readings in Textbooks and Additional Printed Materials
Class Activities: Individual and Group
Guest Speakers
DVD’s
Attend Cultural Event
ANGEL Computerized Access
VII. REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
A. ATTENDANCE
The expectation is that students will exhibit a conscientious and responsible attitude
toward class attendance. Furthermore, this is one of the most important courses in your
teacher education training as the content will be assessed on the Praxis exam. If you
must be absent from a class, you are in no way relieved of the responsibility for class
work missed. If you are absent during a regularly scheduled examination, you will NOT
be allowed to make it up, regardless of the excuse. Students will be permitted to drop
their lowest exam at the end of the semester.
Regular class attendance will be encouraged in the following way. The instructor
reserves the right to give in-class assignments which CANNOT be made-up if you are
absent of the day(s) they are given or assigned. Moreover, the points for these
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assignments will be included in the total number of course points possible. Failure to
complete any of these could lower your grade. For example, if you earn an “A” on every
exam, but miss several in-class assignments, your final grade could be at least a letter
grade lower in the course. Additionally, late daily assignments will not be accepted
unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.
B. CLASS ACTIVITIES
A total of 20 (5 point) activities will be assigned throughout the semester. Some
activities will be group projects and others will require individual reflection regarding
educational practices, philosophies, and application of material. You must be present in
class to receive points for daily activities (classmates may not submit handouts in your
absence). Students will need to copy activity sheets from ANGEL, which can be
accessed through PSU’s homepage (www.pittstate.edu).
C. CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT UNIT
Each student will submit a two page typewritten personal classroom management plan
which he or she believes would be most appropriate in his or her future classroom setting.
Written Plan DUE DATE: Nov. 20. In addition to the paper, the student will also
participate in a group presentation of one of the models. Students will work in small
groups and will make a 15 minute presentation. Detailed information will be given on
the required paper and presentation as the semester gets underway. All of these chapters
are pulled from the Charles text. The following are the presentation dates for the
classroom management models:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Redl & Wattenberg’s Group Dynamics Model (Chap. 4) 11/23
Kounin’s Instructional Management Model (Chap. 4) 11/23
Ginott’s Congruent Communication Model (Chap. 4) 11/23
Canter’s Assertive Discipline Model (Chap. 4) 11/30
Glasser’s Discipline by Choice Theory (Chap. 5) 11/30
Albert’s Cooperative Discipline Model (Chap. 6) 11/30
Coloroso’s Inner Self Control (Chap. 6) 12/2
Curwin & Mendler’s Discipline w/ Dignity (Chap. 10) 12/2
Borba’s Moral Intelligence Model (Chap. 11) 12/2
D. DIVERSITY PROJECT
This semester you will also be required to attend one campus cultural event outside your
own culture (i.e.: Pow Wows, Diversity Speakers, Special Olympics, Musicals, Dramas,
etc.) In addition to attending the event, the student will submit a full one page typed
double spaced reaction to the experience. Reactions may be submitted upon completion
throughout the semester, but must be received no later than Nov. 6.
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E. E-MAIL PROJECT
Each student should secure an e-mail address from Computing Services (109 Whitesitt)
unless you already have a personal account. Send an initial e-mail message to your
instructor to document your address. In the e-mail message, explain why you’re planning
to go into the teaching profession. These can be sent anytime, but must be sent no later
than September 23.
F. EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES PROJECT
Explore two internet educational websites. Submit a typewritten summary of one
paragraph for each website, including the WWW address and a brief description about
the site. This project will be accepted throughout the semester upon completion, but must
be received no later than October 9.
G. EXAMINATIONS
There will be four exams during the semester. Exams will be announced well in advance
(listed on the course schedule). Questions will be drawn from both text and lecture
materials. Obviously, to do well in the course, you must read required textbooks and any
additional reading assignments, ATTEND CLASS REGULARLY, and successfully
complete assignments and activities. Study groups led by the instructor can be offered to
interested students prior to each exam.
You will need to purchase four pink test scoring forms (ParSCORE FORM F-1712) at the
bookstore or in the Psych & Counseling dept. on the second floor of Whitesitt. These
forms are relatively inexpensive and, just as the texts, are considered part of the course
materials requirement.
At the end of the semester, each student will be allowed to drop his or her lowest exam.
As a result of this class policy, students will NOT be allowed to take make-up exams.
Requests will not be considered regardless of the reason, so please do not ask.
H. GRADING
Grades will be determined according to the following criteria: three exams (lowest exam
dropped), group presentation, classroom management plan, 5 pt. class activities, diversity
project, E-mail & educational website projects, attendance/class participation. Points will
be assessed in the following way. It is suggested that you keep a record of your scores to
alleviate any surprises at the end of the semester. Students are also encouraged to save
graded assignments in the event of any discrepancies in the final grade. The gradebook
on ANGEL will also be utilized this semester. Please allow up to a week for grades to be
posted per assignment.
Exams: 3 @ 50 pts.=150 pts. (drop lowest)_____/_____/_____/_____
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Presentation: 50 pts. _____
Classroom Management Plan: 50 pts. _____
Activities: 20 @ 5 pts. =100 pts.
_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____
_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____
Diversity Project: 50 pts. _____
E-Mail Project: 25 pts. _____
Educational Website Project: 25 pts. _____
(Additionally, 50 points will be assigned by the instructor at the end of the semester for
class participation and attendance.)
The total number of points for the semester is outlined in the following grading scale with
no extra credit given.
Grading Scale
TOTAL POINTS
PERCENTAGE
LETTER GRADE
500-450
449-400
399-350
349-300
Below 300
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% & below
A
B
C
D
F
I. SPECIAL CONCERNS
If you have a handicap or disability that impairs your learning process, please notify me
immediately. I will be glad to assist you any way I can.
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COURSE SCHEDULE OUTLINE-Fall 2009
Class Session
Chapter
Aug. 24
Aug. 26 & 28
Aug. 31, Sept. 2, 4
Sept. 7
Course Overview
Chap. 1 (E/K)
Chap. 6 (E/K)
NO CLASS
(Labor Day)
Chap. 6 (E/K)
Exam I (Chap.1,6)
Exam I Feedback
Chap. 7 (E/K)
E-Mails Due
Guest Speaker
Chap. 8 (E/K)
Exam II (Ch.7,8)
Exam II Feedback
Websites Due
Chap. 4 (E/K)
NO CLASS
(Fall Break)
Chap. 4 (E/K)
Guest Speaker
Exam III (Chap.4)
Exam IIIFeedback
Chap. 10
Diversity Due
Group Planning &
Praxis Overview
Chap. 10 (E/K)
Guest Speaker
Written Plans Due
Presentations
NO CLASS
Thanksgiving
Presentations
Chap. 14 (E/K)
Chap. 15 (E/K)
Final Exam
Sept. 9, 11, & 14
Sept. 16
Sept. 18
Sept. 21, 23, 25, 28
Sept. 23
Sept. 30
Oct. 2 & 5
Oct. 7
Oct. 9
Oct. 12, 14
Oct. 16
Oct. 19,21,23,26
Oct. 28
Oct. 30
Nov. 2
Nov. 4 & 6
Nov. 6
Nov. 9
Nov. 11,13,16,18
Nov. 20
Nov. 23
Nov. 25 & 27
Nov. 30 & Dec. 2
Dec. 4 & 7
Dec. 9 & 11
Week of Dec. 14 (see final exam schedule)
(DISCLAIMER: The instructor reserves the right to change the number of exams, course
content and structure, etc. at any time with appropriate prior notification to students.)
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