Educational Implications of Individual Differences in Childhood

Catalog description

EDPSY 11 is a course about individual differences in learners that may stem from biological and environmental influences on development and wellness. This course addresses the ways in which we consider these differences as we design environments for learners in early and middle childhood. Course content includes cognitive, language, social-emotional, moral and physical development of students in pre-elementary through middle school settings. Content also includes understanding and promotion of health and wellness in educational settings; as well as individual differences that stem from gender, ethnic, racial, and other forms of diversity in children and youth. Both primary and secondary sources serve as foundational readings for the course. Readings share research on how and why variations occur, how to measure and interpret them, and what implications such variations have on traditional and non-traditional educational environments with emphasis on developmentally appropriate and individually appropriate educational practice. Specific applications for teacher certification are included. Within each topic area, the course will pay special attention to theoretical and empirical work on how and why variations occur, how they are to be interpreted and measured, and the implications those variations have for social policy and ethical dilemmas with particular attention to educational settings. Traditional and alternative practices in schools will be examined to see which approaches best meet the needs of an increasingly diverse American society. While the course will focus on individual differences in education, it will not be exclusively oriented toward future teachers. The course will also help students understand how course content relates to parents (or future parents) understand the nature of development and individual differences of children and the students as they progress through the educational system.