EDUC 323 : Contemporary Topics in Educational Psychology

Education and Social Work

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A study of the latest topics in Educational Psychology. Supports engagement with contemporary Educational Psychology research and facilitates critical thinking.

Course Overview

In the age of "fake news" we sometimes overlook that published research can itself be prone to many of the same issues, including author bias (both unintentional and intentional), poor quality fact-checking/evidence, and at times an inadequate review process driven by perverse incentives. While most published research remains high quality, it is not always immediately obvious which is which. This course helps students to learn how to evaluate and critique the quality of evidence in recently published research within Educational Psychology.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 45 points at Stage II Restriction: EDUC 342

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Engage with, and think critically about contemporary research in educational psychology (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  2. Recognise faulty reasoning and fallacious logic (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  3. Evaluate credibility and bias within published research (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  4. Critically compare and contrast differing points of view within educational psychology research (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Discussions 10% Individual Coursework
Assignments 60% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 30% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Discussions
Assignments
Final Exam
Students must achieve at least 50% for the course to receive a passing grade in the course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures per week, 3-4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3-4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at lectures to receive credit for in-class activities/discussions (10% total). Two lectures can be missed without penalty. Students who have a good reason for non-attendance can arrange with the lecturer to complete the in-class activity outside of class.
Lectures will also be available as recordings. 
The exam will be scheduled online, students must be available at the scheduled time.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable/block delivery.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Responses indicated high satisfaction with the course. However, a request for assignment exemplars to be provided will be implemented.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 05/11/2023 10:45 a.m.