Welcome to Advanced Ed. Psych. Introductions Syllabus Survey of your questions/needs CWC Overview of the Field

What is Educational Psychology? Learning? Instruction? Assessment? Motivation?

Looking at Models Ways of knowing about learning –How do we know about learning? How theories vary –Range and focus –Nature v. Nurture –Generality v. Specificity

Thought Questions What would you want a model of learning and instruction to explain?

Hmm… What is it to be a learner? How does learning happen? How does transfer take place? What is motivation?

Basic Paradigms Learner as a social being Learner as a processor of information Learner as a constructor of knowledge Learner as a recipient of knowledge

Behavioral Model Learning is the accumulation of associations. Learning involves external consequences as reinforcing or punishing. Learning and transfer: Learning in a new situation depends on how many and which kinds of associations needed in new situation have already been acquired. Motivation=Rewards and punishers. Example: Child gets an A+ The grade is a reinforcer that increases the likelihood that the child will study again. Name: B. F. Skinner

Cognitive Models Learning is the active process of constructing knowledge. Learners interact with the environment to learn, building schemas. Transfer: Acquiring an abstract mental representation or schema that is invariant across situations. Motivation: Intrinsic interest when learning or understanding concepts. Example: Child is able to acquire counting skills by counting something meaningful like toys or playmates for a party. Name: Piaget and Information Processing

Social Constructivist Model Learners learn within the context of communities, a social phenomena. Language is one of the main tools of learning, a shared system of community tools. Learners acquire skill in conjunction with others; social partners. Transfer: Coming to participate in a community of practice. Motivation: Engaged participation in community and identity in community in which participates. Example: Students work in small groups to share ideas and work toward a shared goal. Name: Vygotsky

Questions Can you be a constructivist but use behavioral principles? Can you be a behaviorist and use constructivist principles? What is the best?

How do we know about learning? Observed changes in behavior. Neurological research. Phenomonological research.