EDU 1203: Educational Psychology

Course Description

This course introduces the psychological foundations of teaching and learning. It explores how learners think, feel, and behave in educational settings, with emphasis on learning theories, motivation, cultural and social factors, and strategies for supporting diverse learners. Designed for female student-teachers, the course emphasizes applying psychological principles to Somali classrooms, where resources are limited but creativity and community engagement are vital.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain key concepts and theories in educational psychology.
• Apply behavioral, cognitive, and constructivist approaches to classroom practice.
• Recognize learner differences and design inclusive strategies for diverse needs.
• Analyze the role of motivation, self-regulation, and social influences in learning.
• Apply psychological principles to classroom management and assessment.
• Promote supportive, culturally sensitive, and gender-responsive learning environments.

Required Materials

1. Core Textbooks

• Woolfolk, A. (2019). Educational Psychology (14th ed.). Pearson.
• Slavin, R. E. (2018). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice (13th ed.). Pearson.
• Ormrod, J. E. (2020). Essentials of Educational Psychology: Big Ideas to Guide Effective Teaching (6th ed.). Pearson.
• Santrock, J. W. (2018). Educational Psychology (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

2. Teaching Aids

• Whiteboard/flip chart, markers
• Projector and multimedia resources
• Handouts and case studies (Somali classroom context)