Educational psychology case study pdf

She found that students in her treatment group had scores that were significantly higher than those in her control group.

Thus, her hypothesis was supported by the data. Descriptive Research One of the problems with controlled environments used in experimental research in education is that they are controlled and therefore, not real Eisner, Introduction to Educational Psychology - 4 looks at existing numbers, groups, or conditions without manipulating them. Three types of descriptive research are described here: correlational research, causal-comparative research, and qualitative research.

Correlational research. Correlational research uses statistical procedures to determine whether and to what degree two things are related. For example, there is a strong correlation or co-relation between the amount of studying students do before an exam and the scores that they earn. As the amount of their study time goes up, so do their exam scores. As the amount of their study time decreases so too do their exam scores. An increase or decrease in one thing seems to be related to a similar increase or decrease in another thing.

This is called a positive correlation. A negative correlation is when an increase in one thing seems to be related to a decrease in another. For example, an increase in amount of partying with friends done by students seems to be related to a decrease in their scores on exams.

A word of warning here: Correlation does not indicate causation. Just because two variables are related, we cannot say that one causes the other. There may be other variables that have not been accounted for. For example, there is a strong correlation between water temperature and people drowning. As water temperature goes up, so too do the number of people who drown. But you cannot say that water temperature causes drowning as more people tend to be in the water when it is warmer.

And when the water gets really cold ice forms. Few people seem to drown on ice-covered lakes. You can find many examples in the popular media of people usually with a political agenda who misuse correlational research by trying to attribute cause and effect. A common misuse is to try to link a decrease in any type of test scores with an increase or decrease in the issue of the day such as: Internet usage, video games, family values, teachers unions, teaching of traditional values, gay marriage, phonics instruction, whole language, prayer in school, or saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

Causal—comparative research. Causal—comparative research compares groups in order to find a cause for differences in measures or scores. For example, if a principal was interested in looking at the effectiveness of a new math program, she could use causal—comparative research to make an informed decision.

The math achievement scores of several schools, some of which used the new program and some of which did not, would be compared and analyzed. The independent variable would be the type of math program used. The dependent variable would be the average math scores on similar standardized tests from each school. If the schools using the new math program demonstrated higher test scores, and these differences in scores were statistically significant, it would be reasonable to assume that the new math program may be more effective than traditional methods.

Qualitative research. Qualitative research uses systematic observations in order to understand a phenomenon, condition, or situation.

Examples of qualitative researchers include Charles Darwin observing the origins of species on the Galapagos Islands, Jane Goodall studying gorillas in the wild, or Maria Montessori observing how children learn in classrooms. Examples of data collection in a qualitative research might include interviews, structured observations, surveys, checklists, samples of dialogue, audio or video recordings, student or school records, artifacts, case studies, products, performances, or field notes.

As an example of a qualitative study, Dr. Samuel Jones wanted to understand how kindergarten students develop the ability to read and write. He noticed that in some kindergarten classrooms, literate behaviors reading and writing seemed to emerge without formalized, systematic instruction. The purpose of his research was to understand this emergent literacy process and discover what might account for these behaviors.

Introduction to Educational Psychology - 5 variety of kindergarten classrooms in which these behaviors emerged. Then he spent several months observing, taking notes, talking with students, and talking with teachers. Finally, he reviewed his data looking for patterns and commonalities.

Based on his inquiry he discovered that students in these classrooms were immersed in authentic literacy experiences. That is, they were encouraged to read and write for real purposes first; then given small bits of instruction as they were are ready for it. This was different from traditional classrooms where students were asked to master a set of literacy sub-skills, read very structured texts, and write only in very limited ways. So which research method is the best?

Answer: the research method that best answers your question. Different kinds of questions call for different kinds of research design. One of the big ideas to take from this chapter is that research should be used to inform your teaching practice. As stated above, educational research is used to create theories. Theories help to organize relevant empirical facts in order to create a context for understanding phenomena empirical means they can be observed or measured.

Theories are then used as the basis for designing educational programs, policies, and practices. A theory is a way to explain a set of facts.

Put another way, if reality were a dot-to-dot picture, a theory would be a way to connect a set of data dots see Figure 1. However, varying theories connect different data dots in different ways resulting in a wide variety of pictures and practices. Thus, different theoretical perspectives can advocate different practices or practical notions even though each is based on a set of empirical data.

An example of this would be behavioral learning theory and cognitive learning theory, both of which are based on solid empirical evidence and can be used to inform your teaching practice.

Theories connecting data dots. Review contextual analysis strategies are those that include taking a gander at authentic data. Wellsprings of Information Used There are various sources and techniques that scientists can use to accumulate data about an individual or gathering.

The six significant sources that have been distinguished by scientists are: Direct Perception This procedure includes watching the subject, regularly in a characteristic setting.

While an individual onlooker is in some cases utilized, it is increasingly normal to use a gathering of eyewitnesses. Conducting Proper Meetings One of the most significant strategies for social event data on the off chance that reviews. A meeting can include organized overview type questions or progressively open-finished inquiries.

Reports Letters, paper articles, regulatory records, and so forth. Authentic Records Census records, review records, name records, and so forth. Physical Ancient Rarities Tools, items, instruments, and different relics regularly saw during an immediate perception of the subject.

Member perception: Involves the scientist filling in as a member on occasions and watching the activities and results. Incorporate factors, for example, age, sexual orientation, work, well being status, family psychological wellness history, family and social connections, medication and liquor history, life challenges, objectives, and adapting abilities and shortcomings.

The portrayal of the Presenting Problem In the following segment of your contextual analysis, you will depict the issue or side effects that the customer gave. Portray any physical, enthusiastic, or tangible side effects detailed by the customer. Musings, emotions, and observations identified with the side effects ought to likewise be noted. Any screening or analytic appraisals that are utilized ought to likewise be depicted in detail and all scores announced.

The Intervention The second area of your paper will concentrate on the mediation used to support the customer. Your educator may expect you to look over a specific hypothetical approach or request that you outline at least two potential treatment draws near. Give some foundation on the psychoanalytic methodology and refer to important references.

Clarify how psychoanalytic treatment would be utilized to treat the customer, how the customer would react to treatment and the adequacy of this treatment approach. Subjective Behavioral Approach Clarify how a subjective conduct specialist would move toward treatment.

Offer foundation data on psychological conduct treatment and depict the treatment sessions, customer reaction, and result of this sort of treatment. Make note of any troubles or triumphs experienced by your customer during treatment.

Humanistic Approach Depict a humanistic methodology that could be utilized to treat your customer, for example, customer-focused treatment. Clarify why the treatment was effective or fruitless. Another perspective that can be effectively adopted is on the importance of education in shaping students behaviour. This can be achieved by having guest speakers to give talks on the challenges faced by adolescents, and interact with the students.

The guest speakers should be selected from people who are held in high esteem by the students, therefore, would have a profound influence on the students. Finally the teacher can adopt the use of disciplinary measures by punishing students who do not change their behaviour after the adoption of these intervention measures.

The disciplinary cases are aimed enforcing attitudinal change among the students. The teacher can adopt measures such as, suspending students found abusing or victimising other students; confiscating electronic gadgets from the students among others.

This approach should be encouraged in schools, since it is one of the holistic approaches in educational psychology. Lev Vygotsky was an influential scholar in the field of educational psychology. Much as he was no trained in psychology, he spent more than a decade developing his ideas on educational psychology published after his death Vygotsky 2.

Being prominent in the field of education and a teacher for a long time, Vygotsky was able to come up with perspectives on educational psychology that revolutionized the discipline. He based most of his ideas on the social, historical and cultural perspectives, asserting that these played a fundamental role in shaping the human personality. Students usually have a lot of influence when in school, especially when socialising with students from other areas. Popular culture takes root, since the students are of a young age that is easily impressed with popular values, such as the pop culture that happened in my French class.

Teachers need to have a proper understanding of these values and the role of socialisation in order to understand student behaviour. In addition, he talks of the importance of education in shaping this personality. This is crucial for teachers, to help them cope with the problems their students face in class. This will also help the teachers shape the personality of the students to make them responsible adults in the future. The strength of the educational psychology advanced by Lev Vygotsky lies on his ideas based on socialisation and the influence of culture in determining the individual character of the students, at the same time understanding the external factors such as peer influence found in the group dynamics.

This is unlike some scholars who base their theories on the influence of genetics in determining behaviour. Need a professionally written Custom Essay?

Right now, you can get a professionally written essay in any discipline with a. We're now sending you a link to download your e-book, please check your e-mail. Thank you! You can receive the notifications now. It's pleasure to stay in touch! Show all. Get a Free E-Book! Educational Psychology, Case Study Example. Pages: 6 Words: Case Study. Need a custom Case Study written for you? Introduction Educational psychology is one of the most developed sub-fields of psychology.

Case Study While teaching French at the high school level as an occasional replacement teacher, I was pleased in my expectations for discipline in the classroom. Analysis The two cases discussed above happen in many schools, a problem that many teachers have to encounter for the sake of their students. Understanding the problem The first step involves identifying the kind of personality problem affecting the students.

He asserts Vygotsky 11 : A child undertakes tasks through the mediation of the adult. Solving the Problem Having identified the root of the problem, the same theories can be applied to provide a solution to the problem. Conclusion Lev Vygotsky was an influential scholar in the field of educational psychology. Works Cited Schaffer, H. The Growth of Sociability.

Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, Vygotsky, L.