Psychology of Teaching and Learning

EDUC2001

Semester 1, 2012-2013

Dr. Rachel C. F. Sun

(Office: HOC 409; Tel: 2857-8376; E-mail: rachels@hku.hk)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This course examines a broad range of issues involved in the process of teaching and learning. It is designed to facilitate pre-service teachers’ understanding about the impact of different aspects (e.g., social, cognitive, and affective) of learning environment upon the effectiveness of classroom teaching and learning. A primary goal of this course is to equip pre-service teachers with knowledge regarding how to create an effective learning environment for their own future students, both inside and outside the classroom. This course also aims at acquainting the learners with the most recent development in the research area of teaching and learning. Emphasis will be given to the application of this knowledge to pre-service teachers’ professional work in the Hong Kong school context and beyond. Moreover, this course is designed to facilitate the learners to develop within themselves as well as among their future students, a variety of abilities, including, but are not limited to, analytical, creative, and practical ones.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course, students will be able to:

1. tell how students learn and develop;

2. create environments that are conducive to effective teaching and learning;

3. distinguish and accommodate student diversity and individual differences;

4. identify their strengths and weaknesses in teaching and learning;

5. critically analyze and solve practical problems in Hong Kong school setting; and

6. apply theories and research findings to effective teaching and learning.

TEXTBOOK

Zhang, L. F., Biggs, J., & Watkins, D. (2010). Learning and development of Asian students: What the 21^st century teacher needs to think about. Singapore: Pearson.