476-102 Young People: Developmental Perspectives and Education

Credit Points:

Coordinator:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of typical patterns of physical, cognitive and personal development;

• understand how growth and development are influenced by family, social and ecological factors;

• describe the nature of individual differences likely to be encountered in a primary or secondary classroom;

• explain the relationship between individual differences in development and educational experience and outcomes; and

• demonstrate knowledge of how to take account of the learning characteristics and social behaviours of students with disabilities and additional education needs, in classroom teaching.

Content:

This subject deals with human development from childhood to late adolescence. Physical, cognitive and personal growth from birth to maturity are examined. Developmental changes are studied in the context of family, peer group, sociocultural and ecological influences. Attention will be given to individual differences in development, learning and behaviour stemming from biological, environmental and/or social origins. Implications that the study of individual differences has for classroom learning and teaching will be considered, in particular in the case of students with disabilities and additional education needs.

Students will be introduced to studies of the influence of approaches to child and adolescent development on educational policy and practice.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• Slee PT, Child, Adolescent and Family Development, HBJ Sydney 1993.
• Smith PK and Cowie H, Understanding Children's Development, (2nd ed) Blackwell Oxford UK 1991.
• Sprinthall NA and Sprinthall RC, Educational psychology: A Developmental Approach, Random House New York 1987.