*EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY NOTES - GRADE 7 / DIPLOMA LEVEL*
*1. DEFINITION*
Educational Psychology = Study of how people learn + how to teach better using psychology.
*Main goal*: Understand learners so teachers can teach effectively.
*2. IMPORTANCE TO TEACHERS*
Use Example
**Understand learners** Why a 13yr old acts different from a 6yr old
**Choose methods** When to use group work vs lecture
**Handle individual differences** Fast vs slow learners in same class
**Motivate learners** Rewards, feedback, setting goals
**Manage class** Causes of indiscipline + solutions
**Assess learning** Why tests alone don’t measure everything
*3. MAJOR THEORIES OF LEARNING*
*A. Behaviorism - Skinner, Pavlov*
Idea: Learning = change in behavior due to reward/punishment.
Classroom use: Tokens, praise, grades, time-out.
Key terms: Reinforcement, stimulus, response.
*B. Cognitivism - Piaget, Bruner*
Idea: Learning = mental process. Kids actively build knowledge.
Piaget’s stages:
*1. DEFINITION*
Educational Psychology = Study of how people learn + how to teach better using psychology.
*Main goal*: Understand learners so teachers can teach effectively.
*2. IMPORTANCE TO TEACHERS*
Use Example
**Understand learners** Why a 13yr old acts different from a 6yr old
**Choose methods** When to use group work vs lecture
**Handle individual differences** Fast vs slow learners in same class
**Motivate learners** Rewards, feedback, setting goals
**Manage class** Causes of indiscipline + solutions
**Assess learning** Why tests alone don’t measure everything
*3. MAJOR THEORIES OF LEARNING*
*A. Behaviorism - Skinner, Pavlov*
Idea: Learning = change in behavior due to reward/punishment.
Classroom use: Tokens, praise, grades, time-out.
Key terms: Reinforcement, stimulus, response.
*B. Cognitivism - Piaget, Bruner*
Idea: Learning = mental process. Kids actively build knowledge.
Piaget’s stages:
