Chapter One

Educational Psychology: Developing Learners 6th edition

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod
 Educational Psychology
What is educational psychology?

A discipline that encompasses the nature of learning,

development, motivation, diversity, and assessment

Specifically applicable to classroom practice

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.
 Teaching as Decision Making
Teachers are continually choosing strategies to
help students learn, develop, and achieve

Wise decisions rely on good research

Decisions can influence students’ learning,

development, and long-term success

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.
 Types of Research Studies
Descriptive Studies
Describe things and situations
Allow us to draw conclusions about the
current state of affairs
“How many students are involved in
extracurricular activities?”

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.
 Types of Research Studies
Correlational Studies
Explore possible relationships among variables
Allow predictions about one variable if the status of the
other variable is known
“Do students involved in extracurricular activities have
higher grades than those students not involved in
extracurricular activities?”

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.
 Types of Research Studies
Experimental Studies
Attempt to discover a cause-and-effect
relationship among variables
Independent variable is manipulated by the
researcher to possibly discover an effect on the
dependent variable
“Will joining two extracurricular activities
impact students’ grades?”

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.
Theories in Classroom Decision Making
A theory is an integrated set of concepts and
principles that explains a particular phenomenon
Often the result of descriptive, correlational, and
experimental studies
As additional data are discovered, theories are
continually expanded and modified
A theory can help explain and predict a phenomenon

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.
 Importance of Assessment
Assessment is more than tests, quizzes, papers,
etc…
Assessment should occur in other contexts as
well
Playground, field trips, extracurricular activities,
etc….
Regular assessments & observations provide
valuable insights into students’ learning,
development, and motivation

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.
 Diversity in the Classroom
Teachers should take diversity into account when
identifying teaching strategies
Recognize that all students are unique individuals
Be sensitive to group differences
Be sensitive to individual differences

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.
 Developing as a Teacher
Continue to take courses in teacher education
Learn as much as you can about your subject
Increase your pedagogical content knowledge
Continue to reflect and critically examine your own
beliefs and assumptions
Believe that you can make a difference in students’
lives (self-efficacy)
Learn as much as you can about the culture(s)
of the community in which you are teaching

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Educational Psychology: Developing Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Learners, sixth edition All rights reserved.