Middle Childhood and Adolescent Learning and Development

This course will examine psychological theories regarding processes related to learning and how they apply to secondary education in middle childhood and adolescence. To the extent that learning and development occur in context, the role and impact of the home, school, and community on learning processes will also be investigated. Individual differences, the range of normal development, and strategies for accommodating individual variability in the secondary classroom will be emphasized. Cognitive, behavioral, social, emotional, and physical issues as these relate to student diversity (culture, heritage, SES, gender, race, ethnicity, and the full range of disabilities and exceptionalities) will be included. Students learn to apply knowledge of development and learning to interpret real world observations of adolescents and secondary educational settings. The course emphasizes foundational learning principles that guide effective teaching. This course integrates required fieldwork observation and the use of technology.

Fall, Spring

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