It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to ARU! You are now part of a special group of people – a group that looks into the future and sees the sun rising! This is the group of ARU Zambia students working towards their successful future.

Yes, our motto is Growth – Prosper – Excel. That is what I wish for you – that you may do well in your studies and future work life through me and my faithful team.

ARU endeavours to facilitate strong research-based tertiary education. My intention is to strengthen our students not only in their academic foundation, but also to enable each student to be able to adapt to the present and future global environment.

This study guide will assist you in understanding the structure of your module. Start studying early and do your very best. May the sun rise on you!

Warm Regards,

Prof. Dr. Jakobus Malan

ARU Vice-Chancellor

1.2: Introduction to the course

Educational psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the scientific study of human learning. The field of educational psychology involves the study of memory, conceptual processes, and individual differences (via cognitive psychology) in conceptualizing new strategies for learning processes in humans.

Educational psychology involves the study of how people learn, including topics such as student outcomes, the instructional process, individual differences in learning, gifted learners, and learning disabilities.

This branch of psychology involves not just the learning process of early childhood and adolescence but includes the social, emotional, and cognitive processes that are involved in learning throughout the entire lifespan.

The field of educational psychology incorporates a number of other disciplines, including developmental psychology, behavioural psychology, and cognitive psychology.

This module introduces the theories of learning and educates teachers about the values of factors affecting learning and which strategies to use to manage these factors. It also provides for the intelligence and creativity of learners, observing memory and personalities.

This course deals with the importance and contribution of educational psychology in the theory and practice of education.

Every teacher is confronted with the problem of individuals’ differences in the classroom. The purpose of this unit is to define the concept of educational Psychology. The module focuses on the teachers - learner relationship to improve the quality of learning development.

1.3: Course overview

The four subtopics that will be discussed in this module are:

· Group dynamics

· Intelligence

· Personality

· Learning theories

2. GENERAL INFORMATION

2.1: Communication with your lecturer

The communication with the University takes place through the Registrar. The contact details are as follows:

Postal address

Africa Research University

P.O. Box FW 20

Lusaka

Physical address

Suite 28

Carousel Centre

Lusaka

Telephone numbers

Registrar: +260 95 5 885 672

Student whatsap: +260 96 2 541 331

Student support : +260 97 1 248 101

Email

registrar@aru-online.com

office@aru-online.com

2.2: Study material

2.2.1: Study pack

For successful completion of this module, you should ensure that you have received the following:

· A study guide

· Reading material

· An assessment page

2.2.2: Prescribed textbook

The prescribed textbook for this course is Educational Psychology Reader. ARU students are encouraged to make use of supplementary reading.

2.2.3: Errors, omissions and discrepancies

The ARU team prides itself in taking special care to prove our students with high quality study materials. Should you notice errors, omissions or discrepancies, please inform the Registrar timeously.

2.3: Proposed study schedule

This course has been divided into eight study units – an eight-week program. ARU recommends that this program is followed and that you don’t fall behind. You have to apply a great deal of self-discipline, otherwise you may be unprepared for the examination.

Week	Study unit	Topic
1	SU 1	Psychology of learning
2	SU 2	Growth and development
3	SU 3	Learning theories
4	SU 4	Factors affecting learning
5	SU 5	Memory
6	SU 6	Personality
7	SU 7	Intelligence and creativity
8	SU 8	Group dynamics

3. COURSE ASSESSMENT METHOD

3.1: Course requirements

Students are expected to timeously submit two assignments and write one examination.

3.2: Assignments

Your module is administered by the Registrar. You must make sure that you submit the assignment, together with the assignment cover before the deadline indicated in the annual timetable. Assignments may change from year to year and the Registrar’s office will be able to provide information on the latest assignments where needed. If you have missed this date, contact the Registrar for a current assignment.

Once your assignment has been received by the Registrar, it is forwarded to the lecturer for assessment. The assessed assignment mark is captured, and the assignment is returned to you. If you have any questions, you can arrange to contact your lecturer through the Registrar’s office.

3.3: Examinations

It is your responsibility to ensure that you know when the examinations are scheduled and submit your assignments in time. Students gain access to the examination through the completion of all the assignments, pre-registering to write a module and by ensuring that their records with the faculty are up to date.

Your final mark for this course is compiled as follows:

Assignments:	100 marks
Exam:	100 marks
Total:	200 marks

4. BREAKDOWN OF STUDY UNITS

4.1: STUDY UNIT 1

THEME: Psychology of learning

RECOMMENDED READING: Read p. 1 - 25 of your Module

After completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
• Define Educational Psychology
• Explain the nature of Educational Psychology
• List out the functions of Educational Psychology
• Explain the steps of experimental method
• Describe the clinical, introspection, observation and experiment method LEARNING OBJECTIVES

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

After studying the appropriate text of the ‘Recommended reading’ section, summarise each chapter in your own words. Be able to answer the following questions:

· Describe the Introspection method

· Complete questions on page 5 and 22 - 25

4.2: STUDY UNIT 2

THEME: Growth and development

RECOMMENDED READING: Read p. 26 - 50 of your Module

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
• Explain the concept of growth and development
• Differentiate between growth and development
• Describe the stages of human growth and development
• Explain the concept & nature of learning
• Describe the different learning theories

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

After studying the appropriate text of the ‘Recommended reading’ section, summarise each chapter in your own words. Be able to answer the following questions:

· Explain the principles of growth and development

· Describe the characteristics of each stage of human growth and development

· Explain the steps involved in the process of learning

· Tell the meaning & importance of learning curve

· Explain the different types of learning curve

· Describe the different stages of learning curve

· Complete the question on page 40 and 50

4.3: STUDY UNIT 3

THEME: Learning theories

RECOMMENDED READING: Read p. 51 – 70 of your Module

After completion of this study unit, you should be able to:
• Explain the different types of learning curve
• Describe the different stages of learning curve
• Describe the different learning theories LEARNING OBJECTIVES

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

After studying the appropriate text of the ‘Recommended reading’ section, summarise each chapter in your own words. Be able to answer the following questions:

· Complete the questions on page 55, 60, 65, 68 and 69

4.4: STUDY UNIT 4

THEME: Factors affecting learning

RECOMMENDED READING: Read p. 71 - 93 of your Module

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this study unit, you should be able to:

· Discuss fatigue as factor in learning

· Explain the factors affecting learning

· Explain the concept and importance of attention and perception

· Develop an understanding of the mental processes related to learning

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

After studying the appropriate text of the ‘Recommended reading’ section, summarise each chapter in your own words. Be able to answer the following questions:

· Explain the concept, principle, theories of motivation and technique of motivation students

· Explain how maturation affect learning

· Complete questions on page 73, 76, 77, 81, 83 – 84, 87, 88 and 93

4.5: STUDY UNIT 5

THEME: Memory

RECOMMENDED READING Read p. 94 - 107 of your Module

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this study unit, you should be able to:

· Gain an insight into the mental processes involving memory, forgetting, imagination and reasoning

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

After studying the appropriate text of the ‘Recommended reading’ section, summarise each chapter in your own words. Be able to answer the following questions:

· What is imagination?

· What are the different types of imagination?

· Define Reasoning. What are its characteristics?

· Complete questions on page 99 and 102

4.6: STUDY UNIT 6

THEME: Personality

RECOMMENDED READING: Read p.108 – 119 of your Module

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this study unit, you should be able to:

· Understand the meaning and nature of personality

· Distinguish between type & theories of personality

· Describe characteristics of mental health

· Understand concept of maladjustment

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

After studying the appropriate text of the ‘Recommended reading’ section, summarise each chapter in your own words. Be able to answer the following questions:

· List out causes of maladjustment

· List out preventive measures of maladjustment

· Complete questions on page 112, 113, 114, 116 and 118

4.7: STUDY UNIT 7

THEME: Intelligence and creativity

RECOMMENDED READING: Read p. 120 - 163 of your Module

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this study unit, you should be able to:

· Define the concept of intelligence and creativity

· State the uses of intelligence tests and explain the testing of the intelligence by using intelligence tests

· Explain the characteristics of creativity and eplain the testing of creativity by using creativity tests

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

After studying the appropriate text of the ‘Recommended reading’ section, summarise each chapter in your own words. Be able to answer the following questions:

· State the characteristics of a creative person

· Describe the functions of intelligence

· Complete questions on page 123, 132, 134, 135 – 136, 140, 141, 145 and 147 - 149

4.8: STUDY UNIT 8

THEME: Group dynamics

RECOMMENDED READING: Read p. 150 - 161 of your Module

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this study unit, you should be able to:

· Develop an understanding of group dynamics

· Gain insight into the importance of group dynamics and group mind

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

After studying the appropriate text of the ‘Recommended reading’ section, summarise each chapter in your own words. Be able to answer the following questions:

· Complete questions on page 154, 156, and 160