Educational and Developmental Psychology

Specialist Courses	Description	Compulsory/ Elective
Cognitive Learning Theories	A thorough understanding of the learning process is essential for effective teaching. The nature of learning, its components, and how to most efficiently enhance learning has been examined from a number of theoretical, empirical, and applied perspectives. In contemporary classrooms, theories of learning based on cognitive psychology predominate. This course will provide an overview of contemporary cognitive learning theories in order to provide educators with the evidence-base to stimulate, enhance, and maintain effective learning in students. Special attention will be directed to critical analysis of problems educators encounter in practice and their solutions based on the theories introduced in the course.	Elective
Issues in Development in School Contexts	This course provides students with the opportunity to study critical issues in child and adolescent development in school contexts. Drawing upon relevant psychological theories and empirical studies covered in Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence, students will be given the opportunity to identify and study local and global specific issues in development. The issues contain school readiness, family relationships, schooling, peer relationships, socialization, gender identity and adolescent sexuality, school alienation, and children or adolescents at-risk. A problem-based learning approach is adopted in this course. Students are required to propose appropriate interventions after in-depth analyses of the issues. As this course encourages students to study critical issues related to their specific interests, the content listed below is suggestive of possible areas of investigation.	Compulsory
Motivation and Self-regulated Learning: Theory and Practice	This module provides an in-depth study of theory and research on student motivation and the promotion of active, strategic, independent, self-directed or self-regulated learning. The module focuses on selected theories of motivation and self-regulation that have strong implications for teaching and learning. The module is designed to encourage participants to question their current practices in the light of the recent literature and to also actively engage themselves in trialing instructional strategies centered on motivational and self-regulatory interventions.	Compulsory
Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence	This course will provide a broad overview of childhood and adolescent psychological development. Biological and contextual mechanisms that influence development in physical, neural, motor, cognitive, language, and social-emotional domains will be discussed. The course will assist students in making a critical evaluation of each theoretical perspective covered based on the coherence of the theoretical framework and the new developments in empirical research evidence supporting each theory. The role of culture in shaping the development of children and adolescents, particularly in the Hong Kong context, will be considered. The course will further present the opportunity for students to test theory in practice through engagement in the analysis of developmental issues in the school context.	Compulsory

Remark: Courses listed above may not be offered every semester.

#Any aspect of the course and course offerings (including, without limitation, the content of the Course and the manner in which the Course is taught) may be subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the University. Without limiting the right of the University to amend the course and its course offerings, it is envisaged that changes may be required due to factors such as staffing, enrolment levels, logistical arrangements and curriculum changes.