Educational Psychology & Child Development

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Declan Brennan (Associate Professor of Teacher Education)
• Email: dbrennan@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Lovell Hall 126
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Friday: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (In person, Lovell Hall 126)
  • Wednesday: 3:00–4:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Cognitive, social, and moral development, learning theories, motivation, and their application to classroom instruction and assessment. EDUC 210 explores psychological principles of human growth, development, and learning as applied to P–12 classroom contexts. Students investigate major theories of cognitive development (Piaget, Vygotsky), information processing, socio-emotional development (Erikson, Bronfenbrenner), and moral reasoning (Kohlberg). The course deeply examines behavioral, cognitive, and social constructivist learning models, student motivation frameworks (including self-determination theory and mindset research), and the design of formative and summative assessments that foster meaningful student learning.

Prerequisites

PSYC 101 or EDUC 201.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of EDUC 210, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Cognitive and Developmental Trajectories: Apply theories of cognitive, linguistic, physical, and socio-emotional development to interpret learner behaviors and design developmentally responsive instruction.
2. Evaluate Behavioral and Cognitive Learning Theories: Compare operant conditioning, information processing, cognitive load theory, and social cognitive theory to design effective classroom learning environments.
3. Apply Constructivist and Scaffolding Frameworks: Utilize Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development, cognitive apprenticeship, and scaffolding techniques to foster deep conceptual understanding and metacognition.
4. Design Motivational Learning Contexts: Implement evidence-based motivation strategies grounded in self-determination theory, expectancy-value theory, goal orientations, and attribution theory.
5. Align Classroom Assessment with Learning Objectives: Develop formative and summative classroom assessments, authentic performance tasks, and scoring rubrics that yield reliable data on student progress.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Woolfolk, Anita. Educational Psychology. 14th ed., Pearson, 2019. Approx. $85 print, $45 digital rental.
2. Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis, and Brett D. Jones. Essentials of Educational Psychology: Big Ideas to Guide Effective Teaching. 6th ed., Pearson, 2020. Approx. $75 print or digital.
3. Total estimated cost: $80 to $120.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), EDUC 210 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to explore classroom simulation scenarios, brainstorm developmentally appropriate scaffolding strategies, and proofread your written case study analyses for grammatical clarity.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write your child development case analysis, generate classroom assessment rubrics, complete weekly reading quizzes, or produce answers for examinations. All instructional plans and theoretical syntheses must represent your own pedagogical reasoning.
• Disclosure: All submitted papers and instructional project plans must include an AI disclosure statement identifying any generative AI tools consulted and explaining how the output was modified. If no AI tools were used, state: 'No generative AI tools were used in preparing this work.'

Grading Components and Weights

• Examination 1: 15% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Examination 2: 15% (In class, Thursday, November 12)
• Child Development & Learning Case Analysis Paper: 20% (Due Friday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Instructional & Assessment Design Project: 15% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Educational Psychology Canvas Quizzes: 15% (Due Mondays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas; lowest quiz score dropped)
• Final Examination: 20% (Monday, December 14, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in EDUC 210.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class attendance and thoughtful participation in case discussions and simulations are expected. Learning psychology requires active collaborative problem-solving, role-playing teacher-student interactions, and evaluating authentic student work. If you must miss a class session due to illness or personal emergency, notify Dr. Brennan in advance. More than two unexcused absences will result in a lower participation grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Written projects and case study papers submitted late will lose 10% per calendar day for up to 72 hours. Submissions beyond three days late will not be graded. Canvas reading quizzes close on Monday at 11:59 p.m. and cannot be reopened.

Teacher Education Admission Prerequisite

Undergraduate candidates pursuing initial teacher licensure must achieve a grade of C+ or higher in EDUC 210 and maintain an overall GPA of 2.750 to qualify for formal Admission to Teacher Education.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Monday, December 14, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).