Last modified: May 2007

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Educational Psychology is a course designed to introduce psychological principles as they apply to teaching and learning. It is the required second course in the core sequence for the BS degree in Education. Education majors should apply for admission to the teacher education program while enrolled in this course, if they have not already done so. Read the syllabus to get an overview of the course.

The on-line section of this course differs slightly from the classroom-based in that there are no class meetings and all course activities are done via the Internet. However, the prerequisites for the course, the major objectives and course grading policies are the same. Additionally, whereas a classroom-based class requires a minimum level of class attendance and participation, the web-based course requires participation via technology.

The minimum requirements for participation in the course are:

1. In order to register for the course you need be admitted to the Education program or be eligible to do so (e.g., successfully completed the Regents' Exam, completed a ***2999 course, and have a 2.5 CGPA).
2. Students must also have completed either PSYC 2500 (Fundamentals of Psychology) or PSYC 2700 (Human Growth and Development) and either MSED 2000 (Survey of Educational Concepts) or KSPE 2101 (Fnds & Tech in Health and Phys Ed) before enrolling in this course. It is highly recommended that students complete both PSYC 2500 and PSYC 2700 prior to enrolling in this course.
3. A computer and access to the Internet (at least 56K; high-speed connection is preferred)
4. Netscape Navigator 4.3+ or Internet Explorer 4.0+
5. The plug-ins necessary to run Power Point presentations (PowerPoint 97 Viewer is available for those who don't have Power Point) and Real Audio Basic presentations and the downloads necessary to run Yahoo Messenger.
6. An ability to access the Internet, download files, use e-mail (including the ability to send attachments), and other basic computer/Internet skills
7. The self-discipline necessary to operate in upper-division undergraduate-level course without a lot of supervision.

• Take a quiz on your readiness to take an online course developed by Florida Atlantic University.

First Steps:

1. After you have registered for the course, contact me at whuitt@valdosta.edu and give me your email address so that you can be added to the course list.
2. Read the syllabus and view the Power Point presentation.
3. Purchase the required texts at the bookstore.
4. Purchase the required supplemental materials at the Copy Center next to the Dean’s office in the Education Building. These can be mailed to you if you are out of town. Call the Copy Center at 229-245-4386 and ask to speak to Blanch.
5. Download the Power Point Viewer (if you don’t have Microsoft Power Point on your computer), Real Audio, and Yahoo Messenger, if not already done. Register for a Yahoo ID and let me know via email what it is. My Yahoo ID is "billhuitt". You should add me as one of your "friends" so that you will know when I am logged on.
6. Purchase a microphone or headset with mic for use in the audio chat sessions. These can be purchased at Walmart, Target, Office Max, Office Depot, etc.
7. Look over the course objectives.
8. Look over "The Core Rules of Netiquette" by Virginia Shea.
9. Logon to WebCT (the link is on the left hand side of the page when you select PSYC 3110 on the Educational Psychology Interactive homepage). Your ID is the first part of your VSU email address (e.g., "whuitt" taken from  whuitt@valdosta.edu) and your password is your birthdate in mmddyy format. Your first activity is to read the instructions for making WebCT postings and make a posting introducing yourself so that I know you have logged-on properly. If you do not know your password or if you want to change your password go to http://www.valdosta.edu/webct/password.shtml. (Note: this may not work properly the first two days of the semester because it has to be set up by the technology folks.)

If you don't know your VSU account name, follow these steps:

1. Go to the VSU Home Page and click on the Registration and Advising (Banner) entry. 
2. Log into Banner just as you did to register for classes using your Social Security Number and Birthdate [mmddyy format]. 
3.Follow the menu entries (Personal Information, Email Address) to access your GRITS username and a temporary password. 
4.Click on the "change your password" on that form and select a secure password you won't forget. 

Time Involvement:

A normal 3-hour undergraduate course meets for 3 hours per week with an expectation of 2 to 3 hours of additional work per hour of class time. The total time involvement for the web-based course is therefore 9 to 12 hours per week. [Note: During the summer semester two academic weeks are covered in each calendar week. Therefore, the time commitment for the summer semester is 18 to 24 hours per week.]

Most of the work for the course will be done on your schedule. That is, I will post assignments and questions on the web and you will respond to them. I will also be available during my office hours. If you see I am logged on to Yahoo Messenger you can contact me at any time.  I will provide instructions on using a chat room in Yahoo in the WebCT bulletin board. Students will also engage in weekly audio chat sessions (two per week during the summer) using a WebCT program titled Wimba. Days and times for these sessions will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

There is a field experience which will be satisfied by watching videos of teachers and students in classrooms. You will post comments on these videos on the WebCT discussion board.

Successful Study Habits:

The course consists of a series of modules that address specific course objectives. There are a series of steps that students have found helpful as they learn to master the course material:

1. Read the objective and determine the specific content or skill to be learned. Go to WebCT for that week to read some clarifying questions about the objective.
2. If you think you already know know something about the objective make a few notes from your own knowledge. For example, one of the terms you need to be able to define is "education." Take one minute (but no more) to make a few notes about your definition of education.
3. Write down a few key words about information that you might need to learn.
4. View the Power Point presentation for the objective (a presentation with audio is available via WebCT for some of the objectives; you will need a ID and password as described above. Actively compare what you are reading to your initial notes and questions.
5. Read the web-based materials for the objective. Again, actively compare what you are reading to your initial notes and questions.
6. Read the text pages and any additional required material. Again, actively compare what you are reading to your initial notes and questions.
7. Prepare an outline for an essay you would write on the objective making sure to cover all the points in the objective and the help statement.
8. Talk or chat with the instructor about the week's readings. You should be prepared with specific questions you want answered.
9. Review this material prior to your taking an exam.

Does this sound like a form of SQ4R? If you are familiar with this study method, you should recognize the steps. Some students have formed the habit of simply reading the required materials and then repeating back what they have memorized. The exams and other assignments that you will do in this class, however, will be graded, in part, on your ability to analyze and evaluate information and give examples and applications in an educational setting. In some cases, especially on the 3^rd or 4^th exam, you may also be required to synthesize information and provide original solutions to problems faced by educators.

I am looking forward to working with you this semester. It is important to get off to a good start; procrastination can be an ulcer-producing activity in an online course. As soon as I get your email address I will provide additional instructions on what to do next.

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