GED0542

Methods and practice of teaching psychology

Mr R Hewitt

12 points - 2 hours per week - Full-year subject - Clayton - Prerequisites: A minor sequence in psychology

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed knowledge and understanding of VCE psychology, Units 1, 2, 3 and 4; the current work requirements of VCE psychology; and the current Unit 3 and 4 assessment tasks in VCE psychology. Students should have developed skills which will enable them to utilise a variety of teaching and learning strategies such as group work, role play, debate, discussion, chalk and talk, concept mapping, demonstrations, experiments and other data collection activities in order to effectively convey psychological concepts and skills to students.

Synopsis This subject is designed to prepare students to teach psychology throughout post-primary schools. Psychology appears in the curriculum in post-primary school in two ways: (a) as a subject in its own right in middle school and Years 11 and 12 with a science-based, empirical approach; (b) within a range of middle school and junior school subjects such as health, life skills, personal development, pastoral care and/or social education. Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to design, implement and evaluate effective curriculum and teaching programs. They should also have a wide repertoire of teaching skills and draw upon an understanding of the impact of various resources and strategies on classroom learning. They should be skilled in organising observations, field studies and experiments for classes. Finally, students should have an appreciation of the ethical issues involved, combined with a sense of satisfaction and joy achievable in introducing school students to psychology.

Assessment A precondition for a pass in this method is a pass in practice teaching and 80% attendance at all timetabled classes. A satisfactory level of achievement is also required for each of the following tasks - Lesson plans (1000 words): 20% - Curriculum resources to support one area of unit 1 or 3 (2000 words): 30% - Curriculum resources to support one area of unit 2 or 4 (2000 words): 30% - Use of technology resources within psychology, eg CD ROM or internet (1000 words): 20%

Prescribed texts

Coon D Introduction to psychology: Exploration and application 6th edn, Collins, 1995
Grivas J and Lawrie P Psychology: Experiments and activities HBJ, 1995
Grivas J and others Psychology for VCE students: Units 1 and 2 Jacaranda, 1996
Grivas J and others Psychology for VCE students: Units 3 and 4 Jacaranda, 1996
Victorian Board of Studies VCE Psychology study design VBOS, 1997
Eysenck M Simply psychology Psychology Press, 1996

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