ASSIGNMENT – HMEF5043

SEPTEMBER SEMESTER 2010

HMEF5043 – EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT (50%)

The aim of this assignment is to help you understand the principles and theories of learning
and their implications for classroom practice.

PART A (30%)

Write a 15 page essay on one of the following topics:

a) Differences between behavioural and cognitive theories of learning

b) Using constructivism and metacognition in the teaching and learning process
c) Approaches to cater for individual differences in the classroom
d) Enhancing motivation in the classroom

Your essay should demonstrate your understanding of the topic you have chosen. Present
your essay in an organized and coherent form. Give practical examples based on the
teaching and learning environment wherever possible.

This essay will be graded based on the following criteria:

(1) Title that reflects contents of the essay.

(2) Organization of the essay under suitable subsections and the usage of transition terms.
(3) Clear Introduction, content and conclusion.
(4) Detailed account of the content of the topic chosen.
(5) Proper citation and referencing of articles / books read (use the APA style if possible)
(6) Presentation of original work with no evidence of plagiarism.

PART B (20%)

You are required to:

(1) Review at least TWO research articles on EACH topic below:

 Thinking skills in the classroom

 Motivation and Learning

Select RESEARCH ARTICLES that cover each topic in depth in their findings. For this
reason you would have to be very selective in terms of your choice of journal articles.

(1) Synthesise the findings of the selected research articles.

(2) Present the outcome of your work in the form of ESSAY of about 10 pages. It is
important to present a paper that demonstrates analytical thinking on your part.

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 ASSIGNMENT – HMEF5043

The synthesis should include:

 What is the main theme/ argument/important ideas and/or theoretical concept of the
article?
 How do the findings of the research articles compare and/or contrast with each
other?
 How are the findings applicable within the classroom?
 How do these findings help in your personal and professional development as an
educator?

Your essay should:

a) Contain a beginning, middle and an end; clearly label the various sections in your essay.

b) Paraphrase, write in your own words and use words that make sense to you. Copying
only makes for a choppy piece of work and does not show coherence. Do not present
your work in a series of bullet points or in paragraphs lifted directly from the original
articles.

c) Use Font Arial, size 11, 1.5 spacing; justify alignment.

d) Have a table of contents and insert page numbers.

Assessment

Marks will be given to original essays; well organised and well-thought out work will be highly
regarded. Here is the list of criteria for assessing your essay.

1) Title that reflects contents of essay.

2) Organization of critical analysis under relevant subsections and transition terms.
3) Clear Introduction, content and conclusion.
4) Detailed critical analysis.
5) Proper citation and referencing of articles / books read (use the APA style if possible)
6) Presentation of original work with no evidence of plagiarism.

Suggested  Journal of Educational Psychology

Journals  American Psychologist
 School Psychology Quarterly
 Training and Education in Professional Psychology
 Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
 American Journal of Education
 Theory into Practice
 Others relevant journals