Course: EPC 315. Psychological Foundations of Learning and Teaching (3)
This course should be taken only by students intending to enroll in a K-12 teacher preparation program. Study of the theory and research of educational psychology to backgrounds and needs. These principles of educational psychology form a foundation of knowledge about teaching that is built upon in subsequent courses in teaching methods and practice. Topics studied include learning, motivation, development (cognitive, language, socio-emotional, physical and moral) and their relationship to learning and instruction, cognition, assessment, classroom management and individual and group differences in learning. Implications for teaching students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as students with special needs, are considered throughout the course. Students begin to develop a professional portfolio and spend a minimum of 20 hours participating and/or observing in public schools. Integration of coursework and fieldwork provides students the opportunity to complete various assignments in preparation for meeting Teacher Performance Expectations (TPE).