Bahir Dar University

College of Education and Behavioral Science

Department of Psychology
Academic year: 2015 (2022/23) Semester: Il
Course title: Psychological Foundation of Development and
learning
Assignment
Course code: PGDT (412)
Total weight: 40%
Name of student: ID.NO

Department: Centre: Semester:

General Direction:

Read carefully all of the questions and provide possible answers for each.
Your answer shall be clear brief and to the point as requested.
Your hand writings must be legible enough.
Write your name, ID.NO, I) department and Center.()
Plagiarism/copying from others is totally forbidden.

1. As a teacher what do you think are the relevance of knowledge of psychology

for your classroom work? Please support your argument with example/s (5%)

2. Please discuss how you could apply the cognitive development theory of John
Piaget in enhancing your students' learning (5%).
3. Discuss the practical supports you can provide for adolescents in their healthy
identity development as per Erik Erkson's theory of psychosocial development.
(10%)
4. Explain the three major service areas of guidance and counseling. Which one of
the three service areas is more relevant/ prioritized for students in your school?
Why? (10%).

5. Elucidate the classroom practical implications of operant conditioning theory

and social learning theories. Please use explicit examples (10%) .
Knowledge of psychology is highly relevant for teachers, as it can help them better
understand the learning processes of their students and tailor their instruction to meet
individual needs. Here are some examples of how psychology can inform classroom
practice:
1. Understanding student motivation: Psychology can provide insights into what
motivates students to learn and how teachers can enhance student motivation. For
example, teachers can use techniques such as goal-setting, feedback, and rewards to
increase student motivation and engagement.
2. Recognizing individual learning styles: Psychology can help teachers recognize that
students have different learning styles and preferences. Some students may learn best
through visual aids, while others may prefer hands-on activities. By understanding these
differences, teachers can provide a variety of instructional approaches to meet the needs
of all students.
3. Promoting positive classroom behavior: Psychology can provide strategies for
promoting positive behavior in the classroom. For example, teachers can use positive
reinforcement to encourage good behavior, such as praising students for following
classroom rules or completing assignments.
4. Identifying learning difficulties: Psychology can help teachers identify students who
may be struggling with learning difficulties, such as attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) or dyslexia. By recognizing these challenges, teachers can provide
appropriate accommodations and support to help these students succeed.
5. Encouraging critical thinking: Psychology can help teachers encourage critical
thinking and problem-solving skills by providing opportunities for students to analyze
and reflect on their learning. This can involve activities such as group discussions,
debates, and projects that require students to apply their knowledge in real-world
contexts.
2. Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that children go through distinct
stages of cognitive development as they mature, and that their learning is influenced by
their cognitive development. Teachers can apply Piaget's theory by designing
instructional approaches that are appropriate for the developmental stage of their
students. Here are some ways that teachers can apply Piaget's theory to enhance student
learning:
1. Providing age-appropriate learning experiences: Piaget's theory suggests that
children's cognitive abilities develop in a predictable sequence, so teachers can use this
knowledge to design instruction that is appropriate for the developmental stage of their
students. For example, teachers can use concrete examples and hands-on activities to
teach younger students, while older students may benefit from more abstract reasoning
and problem-solving activities.
2. Encouraging exploration and discovery: Piaget's theory emphasizes the importance
of exploration and discovery in learning. Teachers can facilitate this process by providing
opportunities for students to explore and discover new concepts on their own, such as
through hands-on activities and experiments.
3. Fostering critical thinking skills: Piaget's theory suggests that as children's cognitive
abilities develop, they become better able to think abstractly and reason logically.
Teachers can foster these critical thinking skills by challenging students to apply their
knowledge in new and complex ways, such as through debates and problem-solving
activities.
4. Providing opportunities for social interaction: Piaget's theory also emphasizes the
importance of social interaction in learning. Teachers can provide opportunities for
students to collaborate and work together in small groups, such as through group projects
or classroom discussions.
5. Assessing student understanding: Piaget's theory suggests that children's cognitive
abilities develop in a predictable sequence, so teachers can use this knowledge to design
assessments that are appropriate for the developmental stage of their students. For
example, younger students may benefit from more concrete assessments, such as
matching or labeling activities, while older students may be better able to demonstrate
their understanding through written or oral presentations.
3. Erikson's theory suggests that adolescents experience a stage of development called
identity versus role confusion, during which they are exploring their sense of self and
trying to establish a sense of identity. Teachers can support healthy identity development
in several ways, including:
1. Providing a safe and supportive learning environment: Adolescents need to feel
safe and supported in order to explore their identity. Teachers can create a safe and
supportive learning environment by fostering a sense of belonging, promoting positive
relationships, and providing opportunities for students to express themselves.
2. Encouraging self-reflection and self-awareness: Adolescents need to develop self-
awareness in order to establish a sense of identity. Teachers can encourage self-reflection
and self-awareness by providing opportunities for students to reflect on their values,
beliefs, and goals, and by encouraging them to explore their strengths and weaknesses.
3. Providing opportunities for exploration and experimentation: Adolescents need to
explore different roles and identities in order to establish a sense of self. Teachers can
provide opportunities for exploration and experimentation by offering a variety of
learning experiences and encouraging students to try new things.

4. Facilitating positive relationships and social connections: Adolescents need to

develop positive relationships and social connections in order to establish a sense of
identity. Teachers can facilitate positive relationships and social connections by
providing opportunities for students to work together, collaborate, and build friendships.
5. Encouraging autonomy and independence: Adolescents need to develop autonomy
and independence in order to establish a sense of identity. Teachers can encourage
autonomy and independence by providing opportunities for students to make decisions,
take responsibility for their learning, and take on leadership roles.
3. The three major service areas of guidance and counseling are:
1. Educational guidance and counseling: This service area focuses on helping students
with academic and educational issues. Educational guidance and counseling can include
academic planning, course selection, study skills development, and academic support
services.
2. Career guidance and counseling: This service area focuses on helping students
explore career options and develop career-related skills. Career guidance and counseling
can include career assessments, job search strategies, resume writing, and interview
preparation.
3. Personal/social guidance and counseling: This service area focuses on helping
students with personal and social issues that may impact their academic and personal
success. Personal/social guidance and counseling can include assistance with social skills
development, conflict resolution, coping strategies for personal challenges, and mental
health support.
5.Operant conditioning theory suggests that behavior is shaped by its consequences, and
that behavior that is reinforced is more likely to be repeated. Social learning theory
suggests that behavior is learned through observation and imitation of others. Here are
some classroom practical implications of these theories, along with examples:
1. Reinforcing positive behavior: According to operant conditioning theory, positive
reinforcement can be used to increase the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated.
Teachers can use positive reinforcement to encourage positive behavior, such as praise,
rewards, and positive feedback. For example, a teacher may praise a student for
completing their work on time or participating in class discussions.
2. Addressing negative behavior: Operant conditioning theory suggests that negative
reinforcement can be used to decrease the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated.
Teachers can use negative reinforcement to address negative behavior, such as
consequences for breaking classroom rules. For example, a teacher may give a student
detention for being late to class or not completing their homework.
3. Modeling positive behavior: According to social learning theory, students learn
through observation and imitation of others. Teachers can model positive behavior for
their students, such as showing respect for others, being kind, and demonstrating good
study habits. For example, a teacher may show students how to work collaboratively on a
project by modeling good communication skills.
4. Encouraging peer modeling: Students can also learn from each other through peer
modeling. Teachers can encourage peer modeling by assigning group projects or
activities that require students to work together and learn from one another. For example,
a teacher may assign a group project that requires students to work together to develop a
presentation on a topic they are studying.
5. Providing opportunities for practice: Operant conditioning theory suggests that
behavior is more likely to be repeated if it is practiced. Teachers can provide
opportunities for students to practice new skills and behaviors, such as through class
discussions, group activities, and independent work. For example, a teacher may provide
opportunities for students to practice their writing skills by assigning short writing
assignments and providing feedback on their work.