Learning and information processing

Applying Psychology to Teaching

Introduction:Before you can teach them, you have to reach

them

“Start where people are before you take them where you want them to be” (Anon)

Universitas magistrorum et scholarium

Motivation

• It is nearly impossible to motivate someone else, unless you can tap into motivation that already exists.

Motivation

All humans can be motivated

•Boredom which you want to overcome•Anger because needs have not been met•Frustration because you can’t get ahead•Fear of the future•A desire for achievement•A need to excel•Love for challenges

You must understand your students’ motivations

• Good students: Desire to be attentive and “please” the lecturer•Disorientated, confused and anxious students who want to be seen as competent and want to fit in•Unsuccessful students who have dropped out mentally•Blasé students who want to create the impression that they are bored

Motivation is not a paint job

•Reach the students•Find their major motivations•Tap into those and use them as core components of the lesson

No one motivates everyone all the time

•Teach with the clear intention of inspiring each and every student and then accept that some were inspired and others not•The trick is going to be whether or not you learn to connect yourself, your words and your ideas to their need, their background and experiences and their ways of seeing the world

Motivation

• Motivation is important to learning, and feeling valued as a human being is a powerful motivator

• Create a safe environment, i.e.:– Structure– Predictability– Sense of control

Creating a respectful and learning environment

• Is my curriculum relevant to my students, their interests, ambitions and cultural identity?

• Awareness of students’ different learning styles and adapting teaching accordingly

• Do books and other teaching material reflect diversity

Learning

Cognition Perception

EmotionSTIMULUS ORGANISM RESPONSE

Behaviour

Physiology

SOCIAL SYSTEM

Information processing

Information processing

• Two types of learning tactics, i.e.:– Memory-directed tactics: Accurate storage and

retrieval of information– Comprehension-directed tactics: Aid in

understanding the meaning of ideas and their interrelationships