EDM104-Child Development and Education

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Daisy Powell
Email: d.a.powell@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Prof Holly Joseph
Email: h.joseph@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will provide students with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the development of children from infancy to adolescence and to apply this to educational settings.Ìý The module will provide a detailed overview of key theories of child development, with a focus on those aspects of development most relevant to the classroom.Ìý This will allow students to reflect on ways in which development is impacted by both genetic and environmental influences, and how this may in turn impact on teaching and learning.Ìý Ìý

Aims:

• to develop an understanding of classic and contemporary psychological theories of cognitive development and how these relate to education.


• to develop an understanding of contemporary accounts of the development of language and how this relates to education.


• to develop an understanding of the ways in which empirical evidence can inform the development of interventions to enhance pupil learning.


• to develop an understanding of the social and emotional development of children and how this relates to education.


• to develop an understanding of the nature of typical and atypical development.


• to develop the ability to critically evaluate research relating to child development and its relevance to teaching and learning.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• read, understand and critically evaluate contemporary research on children’s development


• critically analyse recent national initiatives on the curriculum and educational settings in relation to typical and atypical development.


• critically evaluate their own teaching in the light of evidence

Additional outcomes:

This module will also allow students to:

• Develop critical thinking skills through examining key pieces of the relevant research literature and discussing these in class


• Present ideas and describe relevant research to peers, developing academic English and communication skills.


• Develop academic writing and critical thinking skills in producing written work for two summative assignments, written in formal academic language and referencing the research literature (using APA style).

Outline content:

Specialist knowledge and understanding will cover topics such as those outlined below:

• Development in historical contexts: changing understandings of childhood, from Piaget and Vygotsky to the information processing theorists.


• Cognitive development - implications for educational settings;


• Language development - implications for educational settings;


• Social development - implications for educational settings;


• Atypical development;


• Teaching approaches;


• Assessment and diagnosis;


• Gender issues in achievement;


• Cross cultural aspects of development.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

• Tutor-led lectures and seminars


• Group discussions and readings;


• Practical assessment workshops


• Presentations.