Developmental and educational psychology (2012/2013)

Course not running

Course code
4S02384
Credits
8
Coordinator
Manuela Lavelli
Academic sector
M-PSI/04 - DEVELOPMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Language of instruction
Italian
Teaching is organised as follows:
Activity Credits Period Academic staff Timetable
Psicologia dello sviluppo 4 Sem IB Manuela Lavelli
Psicologia dell' educazione 4 Sem IA Marinella Majorano

Lesson timetable

Learning outcomes

Psicologia dello Sviluppo (I modulo di ‘Psicologia dello Sviluppo e dell’Educazione’, Scienze della Formazione Primaria) - 2012-2013
Prof.ssa Manuela Lavelli (Coordinatore)

Module: Developmental Psychology
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This module is aimed to: (a) provide students with a basic knowledge and conceptual and methodological tools for understanding developmental processes in different psychological domains (motor, perceptive, communicative-linguistic, cognitive, and socio-emotional domains) from prenatal life to school age, with focus on preschool and school years; (b) promote reflections on the application of this knowledge in contexts of preschool and primary school.
The specific aims, expressed as expected learning results, are the followings:
1 - Knowledge and understanding of developmental processes in different psychological domains (motor, perceptive, communicative-linguistic, cognitive, and socio-emotional domains) from pre- or neonatal life to school age, main theories explaining these processes, and factors which can promote or, on the contrary, hinder psychological development.
2 - Ability to apply knowledge and understanding in contexts of preschool and primary school:
- to observe children’s behavior during interactions with peers and adults;
- to build relationships with individual children, the group of children, and their parents;
- to project educational and didactic activities (shared with module 'Educational Psychology');
- to prepare educational settings and materials (shared with module 'Educational Psychology');
- to face problematical situations (shared with module 'Educational Psychology').
3 - Ability to consider the interdependence between biological and environmental factors in understanding individual differences in developmental and learning paths, and building appropriate educational and didactic activities (shared with module 'Educational Psychology').
4 - Ability to communicate in a clear and effective way about their knowledge and understanding, their knowledge elaboration, and their reflections on education issues (shared with module 'Educational Psychology').
5 - Ability to deepen their knowledge on topics raised by professional experience, by using bibliographical sources with autonomy (shared with module 'Educational Psychology').

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Psicologia dell’Educazione (II modulo di ‘Psicologia dello Sviluppo e dell’Educazione’, Scienze della Formazione Primaria) - 2012-2013
Prof.ssa Marinella Majorano

The course aims to provide a basic understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues related to the stages of development of a child's learning process in an educational context and toprovide a basic knowledge ofthe risk indicators of difficulties or delays in these processes in preschool and school-aged children.
Specifically, the expected learning outcomes are as follows:
1) knowledge and understanding of the development of the learning processes of reading, writing and mathematics during school age, with reference to the main theoretical models and understanding of the role of memory and attention in learning development;
2) theability to critically take into account the relationship between the characteristics of the child (individual factors, skills, howhe/she learns), characteristics of the school environment (education, teaching methods, the class group and the wider school setting) and other contexts in order to determine the learning processes;
3) the ability to apply the knowledge acquired in the process of observation and educational programming in various educational contexts, particularly for learning difficulties;
4) the ability to clearly communicate in an effective way about knowledge and acquisition;
5) theability to develop a critical understanding of the topics and to use bibliographical sources with autonomy.

Syllabus

Psicologia dello Sviluppo (I modulo di ‘Psicologia dello Sviluppo e dell’Educazione’, Scienze della Formazione Primaria) - 2012-2013
Prof.ssa Manuela Lavelli (Coordinatore)
Module: Developmental Psychology
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Change processes that characterize developmental phases within different developmental domains will be presented in the light of the classic theories by Piaget, Vygotskij, Bowlby, their latest developments, and theoretical hypotheses offered by more recent research areas (e.g., infant research, theory of mind).
After an introduction to the most important issues addressed by developmental psychology, the lessons will focus on child development from prenatal and neonatal period through infancy, and childhood: preschool and school years, investigating developmental changes and factors and processes underlying changes.
A sociocultural perspective will be presented as a main theoretical framework to address fundamental topics such as the interdependence between biological and cultural factors in individual developmental and learning paths.
A particular attention will be paid to:
- the relationship between socio-emotional and cognitive processes;
- individual and cultural differences.

Didactic methods
During lessons, explanations supported by visual devises will be alternated with moments in which students will be actively engaged in discussions and analyses of research videos illustrative of concepts and issues addressed.

Exam texts
The preparation of the exam for part I: Developmental Psychology includes the study of an handbook of Developmental Psychology, and a short monograph:
1) Belsky, J. (2007/2009). Psicologia dello sviluppo, Vol. I. Bologna: Zanichelli, no chapters 2, 8, 9, 10.
2) One of the following short books, according to the personal interest:
A) Preschool age
Ornaghi, V., & Grazzani Gavazzi, I. (2009). La comprensione della mente nei bambini. Trento: Erickson.
B) School age
Lafortune, L., Doudin, P.A., Pons, F., & Hancock, D.R. (2012). Le emozioni a scuola. Trento: Erickson, only chapters 1 and 5.
Furthermore, a copy of the slides used during lessons will be available for attending students.

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Psicologia dell’Educazione (II modulo di ‘Psicologia dello Sviluppo e dell’Educazione’, Scienze della Formazione Primaria) - 2012-2013
Prof.ssa Marinella Majorano


In the first part of the course the basic mechanisms responsible for the processes of learning in children are considered. It aims to provide knowledge on the main theoretical models that describe the development of reading, writing and calculation, taking into account the role of the mechanisms of memory and attention. The specific prerequisites for preschool children that consent the development of the processes of literacy in primary schools are presented.
In the second part of the course the role of context variables in the educational processes at different levels (educational proposals, class groups, school context, family), with reference to the socio-constructivist theoretical perspectiveare considered, taking into account the interaction between cognitive factors, socio-emotional and motivational processes of learning.
Exploration of the theme of observation and educational planning in cases of potential or actual learning difficulties will also be focused on.


Didactic methods
During lessons, explanations supported by visual materials will be alternated with moments in which the students will be actively engaged in discussions and analyses of research videos illustrating the concepts and issues addressed.

Exam texts
Preparation for theEducational Psychology examincludes studyingthe following monographs:

Stella, G. (2000). Lo sviluppo cognitivo. Milano: Bruno Mondadori Editore.
Antonietti, A., Cantoia, M. (2010). Come si impara. Milano: Mondadori Editore. (I PARTE)

Assessment methods and criteria

Psicologia dello Sviluppo (I modulo di ‘Psicologia dello Sviluppo e dell’Educazione’, Scienze della Formazione Primaria) - 2012-2013
Prof.ssa Manuela Lavelli (Coordinatore)

The exam of Developmental and Educational Psychology will consist in an only written test. The student will have 2 hours to answer to six open questions: three questions about Developmental Psychology, and three questions about Educational Psychology. Requests to describe (to assess knowledge), to discuss (to assess understanding and ability to relate different pieces of information), and to apply the acquired knowledge to the contexts of preschool and primary school (to assess the ability to translate knowledge in practice) will be included in the exam.
Evaluation will be focused on:
- knowledge;
- understanding and ability to elaborate knowledge;
- ability to communicate in a clear and effective way, by using adequate terminology and correct syntax.

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Psicologia dell’Educazione (II modulo di ‘Psicologia dello Sviluppo e dell’Educazione’, Scienze della Formazione Primaria) - 2012-2013
Prof.ssa Marinella Majorano


The exam of Developmental and Educational Psychology will consistof a written test only. The student will have 2 hours to answer six open questions: three questions about Developmental Psychology, and three questions about Educational Psychology.

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