National University




General Course Information for SPD604: Psychological Fdns of Educ.

Course: SPD604 - Psychological Fdns of Educ.
Textbook: For the correct edition of the textbook assigned to a specific class, go to: http://www.nutextdirect.com

Course Description: An examination of learning processes in educational settings will address human motivation; development of children and youth in the affective, cognitive, social, and personal domains; individual differences; and implications of theory and research for teaching and learning.
Course Learning Outcomes:
  • describe either orally or in writing a comprehensive knowledge of typical and atypical development including prenatal state through adulthood, knowledge of development stages and their implications for learning.
  • identify major developmental theorists and characteristics representative of the major theories of human growth and development (cognitive, linguistic, social, and moral).
  • compare applications of psychology to education by theoretical framework.
  • state influences of cultural factors and practices on child development.
  • state and describe skills needed to provide information to family members on typical developmental expectations/impact of disability on developmental progress.
  • demonstrate skills needed to ensure that the intervention/instructional environment is appropriate to each student’s specific chronological age, developmental differences, disability and other special needs.
  • define learning through an examination the major learning theories (Behaviorism, Information-Processing, Social Learning and Constructivism); knowledge construction and cognitive processing.
  • identify / provide examples of how theories of human development are reflected in classroom practices.
  • describe/identify applications of psychology to education: lesson design and instructional sequences, strategies, and activities.
  • describe/identify applications of psychology to education: classroom environment, student engagement, family involvement/Communication
Specified Program Learning Outcomes:
  • MASTER OF EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION WITH NEVADA LICENSURE
    • Evaluate the application of educational research, evidence-based practices, and academic writing with a focus on elementary education.
    • Evaluate the application of educational research, evidence-based practices, and academic writing with a focus on elementary education.
    • Evaluate the application of educational research, evidence-based practices, and academic writing with a focus on elementary education.
    • Integrate concepts and differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
    • Integrate concepts and differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and implementing developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences that respect cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and implementing developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences that respect cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and implementing developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences that respect cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and using multiple methods of assessment that learners use to monitor their own growth and decision-making as well as guide the teacher is instructional planning.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and using multiple methods of assessment that learners use to monitor their own growth and decision-making as well as guide the teacher is instructional planning.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and using multiple methods of assessment that learners use to monitor their own growth and decision-making as well as guide the teacher is instructional planning.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining inclusive learning environments enabling all learners to meet high standards while recognizing individual and cultural differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining inclusive learning environments enabling all learners to meet high standards while recognizing individual and cultural differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining inclusive learning environments enabling all learners to meet high standards while recognizing individual and cultural differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in ongoing professional learning by using evidence to evaluate the influences of professional practices, choices, and actions on learners, families, other professionals, and the community.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in ongoing professional learning by using evidence to evaluate the influences of professional practices, choices, and actions on learners, families, other professionals, and the community.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
    • Integrate knowledge of learners and the community context in planning instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals of content areas.
    • Integrate knowledge of learners and the community context in planning instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals of content areas.
    • Integrate the discipline(s)' central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures to create learning experiences accessible and meaningful for learners in mastering the content.
  • MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SECONDARY EDUCATION WITH NEVADA LICENSURE
    • Evaluate the application of educational research, evidence-based practices and academic writing, a focus on secondary education matters.
    • Evaluate the application of educational research, evidence-based practices and academic writing, a focus on secondary education matters.
    • Integrate concepts and differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues
    • Integrate concepts and differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and implementing developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences that respect cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and implementing developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences that respect cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and using multiple methods of assessment that learners use to monitor their own growth and decision-making as well as guide the teacher is instructional planning
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing and using multiple methods of assessment that learners use to monitor their own growth and decision-making as well as guide the teacher is instructional planning
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining inclusive learning environments enabling all learners to meet high standards while recognizing individual and cultural differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining inclusive learning environments enabling all learners to meet high standards while recognizing individual and cultural differences.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in establishing and maintaining learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
    • Integrate knowledge of learners and the community context in planning instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals of content areas.
    • Integrate knowledge of learners and the community context in planning instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals of content areas.
  • MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION WITH NEVADA LICENSURE MILD/MODERATE ENDORSEMENT
    • Candidates demonstrate an understanding of effective leadership by advocating for exceptional individuals, including those with diverse needs and by collaborating within the learning community to advance professional practice.
    • Candidates demonstrate knowledge of typical and atypical development and characteristics of students with disabilities and other special needs.
    • Candidates integrate best practices, apply learning theories, methodologies, technology tools, and assessments across content areas to manage, monitor, and engage student learning. NVTL: B. V, VIII
  • Master of Arts in Education
    • Analyze diversity issues in education to support equity in educational contexts and learning practices.
    • Analyze the application of educational research, evidence-based practices, and academic writing.
    • Apply theoretical foundations of education to examine personal, societal, and organizational practices.
    • Integrate foundational theory and skills to make subject matter comprehensible to all learners.
  • Master of Education with a Preliminary Multiple or Single Subjects Teaching Credential and Internship Option (California)
    • Analyze the application of educational research, evidence-based practices, and academic writing.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in assessing all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in being a legal, ethical, and professional educator for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in creating/maintaining effective learning environments for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing/planning learning experiences for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in engaging/supporting all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in making subject matter comprehensible for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
  • Preliminary Education Specialist Authorization Teaching Credential
    • Integrate professional, legal, and ethical practices when instructing students with disabilities.
    • Teach students who are diverse learners including those who are English language learners.
  • Preliminary Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential Program with Internship Option (California)
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in assessing all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in creating/maintaining effective learning environments for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing/planning learning experiences for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in engaging/supporting all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in making subject matter comprehensible for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
  • Preliminary Single Subjects Teaching Credential with Internship Option (California)
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in assessing all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in creating/maintaining effective learning environments for all P12 learners,including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in designing/planning learning experiences for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in engaging/supporting all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
    • Integrate knowledge and abilities in making subject matter comprehensible for all P12 learners, including those with diverse learning needs.
Course Requirements:

Complete online lessons / 9 course meetings, or combination for hybrid ......................................... 30 pts
Graded participation, incluidng discussion board or inclass .............................................. 20 pts
Case Study....................................... 25 pts
Mid-Te4rms (quizzes) ..................... 25 pts
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Total ................................................ 100 pts

Students with Disabilities:
Students seeking special accommodations due to a disability must submit an application with supporting documentation, as explained under this subject heading in the General Catalog. Instructors are required to provide such accommodations if they receive written notification from the University.

Writing Across the Curriculum:
Students are expected to demonstrate writing skills in describing, analyzing and evaluating ideas and experiences. Written reports and research papers must follow specific standards regarding citations of an author's work within the text and references at the end of the paper. Students are encouraged to use the services of the University's Writing Center when preparing materials.

The following website provides information on APA, MLA, and other writing and citation styles that may be required for term papers and the like: http://www.nu.edu/LIBRARY/ReferenceTools/citations.html

National University Library:
National University Library supports academic rigor and student academic success by providing access to scholarly books and journals both electronically and in hard copy. Print materials may be accessed at the Library in San Diego or through document delivery for online and regional students. Librarians are available to provide training, reference assistance, and mentoring at the San Diego Library and virtually for online or regional students. Please take advantage of Library resources:

URL: http://www.nu.edu/library.

Contact the Library:

  • RefDesk@nu.edu
  • (858) 541-7900 (direct line)
  • 1-866-NU ACCESS x7900 (toll free)

Use the Library Training Tools (on the Library Homepage) for additional help

  • Recorded class presentations
  • Tutorials & Guides (APA/MLA, Peer-Review, and more)

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else's ideas or work as one's own. Students must give credit for any information that is not either the result of original research or common knowledge. If a student borrows ideas or information from another author, he/she must acknowledge the author in the body of the text and on the reference page. Students found plagiarizing are subject to the penalties outlined in the Policies and Procedures section of the University Catalog, which may include a failing grade for the work in question or for the entire course. The following is one of many websites that provide helpful information concerning plagiarism for both students and faculty: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

Ethics:
Ethical behavior in the classroom is required of every student. The course will identify ethical policies and practices relevant to course topics.

Technology:
Students are expected to be competent in using current technology appropriate for this discipline. Such technology may include word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Use of the internet and e-mail may also be required.

Diversity:
Learning to work with and value diversity is essential in every class. Students are expected to exhibit an appreciation for multinational and gender diversity in the classroom.

Civility:
As a diverse community of learners, students must strive to work together in a setting of civility, tolerance, and respect for each other and for the instructor. Rules of classroom behavior (which apply to online as well as onsite courses) include but are not limited to the following:

  • Conflicting opinions among members of a class are to be respected and responded to in a professional manner.
  • Side conversations or other distracting behaviors are not to be engaged in during lectures, class discussions or presentations
  • There are to be no offensive comments, language, or gestures