EDF5176 - Psychology education in the secondary years B - 2019

This unit builds on EDF5175 (Psychology education in the secondary years A) as it continues to explore the learning and teaching of psychology in secondary schools. It extends students' ability to plan, enact and adjust as appropriate a range of teaching and learning strategies to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners in a variety of settings and curricula contexts. It encourages students to engage with contemporary ideas and research literature and consider the philosophy that underpins their teaching. It continues to encourage students to consider the purpose of teaching psychology in schools and psychology's place within secondary schools and focuses more on international curricula, electronic assessment, debate, learning spaces and information technologies this semester. Students develop an appreciation of how working in collaborative teams, and regularly engaging in critical conversations about teaching and learning, psychology experiences and research literature, are an essential part of the professional work of a teacher of psychology.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. appreciate the nature and scope of psychology as a subject discipline in secondary schools
2. demonstrate familiarity with the curricula policies related to the teaching of psychology, both nationally and internationally
3. follow ethical guidelines when teaching psychology and plan responsibly, especially when carrying out research investigations and teaching potentially sensitive or controversial topics
4. acquire a sound understanding of key theoretical and pedagogical perspectives and issues in the teaching of psychology
5. develop competence in planning and implementing lessons and units of work, including assessment strategies, that embrace the diverse social and cultural backgrounds and personal experiences of students
6. select and utilise appropriate resources, including drawing on current local or global issues, popular media to create effective learning activities that may incorporate information and communication technology (ICT) to suit the school context and the students' learning needs
7. inspire learners of psychology to foster an interest in and positive attitude towards the understanding of human mental processes and behaviours
8. value the links between psychological understandings, the real world and students' everyday lives and consider what it means to be a psychologically literate citizen in today's society
9. work collaboratively with peers to help articulate the pedagogical issues, consider different perspectives and understand that learning to teach is a social endeavour
10. reflect critically on the development of their own teaching and learning to teach psychology.

Multi-media presentation linking research to psychology teaching practice (2000 words equivalent, 50%)

Written assignment (2000 words, 50%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • 2-3 contact hours per week
2. Additional requirements
   • independent study to make up the minimum required hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

For D3001:

Secondary education