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CHAPTER 1

Educational Psychology:

What is it and what is it good for?

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The Goal of Educational Psychology

Educational Psychology

• understanding teaching and learning in educational settings

• improving practice

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2.1 Effective Teaching

Commitment andMotivation

ProfessionalKnowledge and

Skills

Effective teaching

combines

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3.1 Research in Educational Psychology

Research Challenges

The ScientificResearch Approach;

“Meta-analysis”

Research

Why Research Is

Important

Research Methods

Program EvaluationResearch,

Action Research, Teacher as Researcher

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3.2 Why Research is Important

• Research improves practice - better teaching

• Objective methods of inquiry bring clarity to what we ask and do

• Empirical/research based teaching is a combination of art and science

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4.1 Be a “Wise Consumer” of research

• Be cautious of what is reported in the popular media.

• Avoid drawing conclusions about individual needs based on group research.

• Recognize how easy it is to overgeneralize about a small or clinical sample.

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More on research

• Be aware that a single study usually is not the defining word.

• Always consider the source of information and evaluate its credibility.

• Be aware that the WWW and Internet have nuggets of gold under tons of rubbish