PSYCH 241 Lecture 27: Education
Education
Thursday, April 26, 2018
11:23 AM
Academic Achievement & Class Size
• Children in smaller classes score higher
• Teachers have more time for individual attention
• Children show better concentration, higher-quality class participation, and more favorable
attitudes toward school
Computers & Academic Learning
• Computers and internet access are in virtually all U.S. schools
• Educational software can provide basic skills practice, however it is a more challenging
way for children to learn new knowledge
• Non-game use is associated with academic progress
• Teaching kids how to be online with a secure/safe way
Motivation to Learn
• Academic Motivation
o The ability to try hard and persist at school tasks in the face of difficulties
• Two approaches to learning
1. Mastery orientation:
• Children are motivated to learn, to try hard, and to improve their performance
• Incremental view of ability, can improve by trying
• Ex: when child is successful, teacher says "You worked hard and did a great job"
2. Performance orientation:
• Children are motivated by their level of performance, ability and incentives for doing
well
• Fixed view of ability; cannot be changed
• E.g: when child is successful; teacher says: You are smart!
• Can lead to learned helplessness
• "the good ones at math, and the bad ones at math"
How Well-Educated are U.S. Children?
• Factors inside/outside of schools affect educational quality
• Societal values
• School resources; (e.g. class size)
• Quality of teaching
• Parental support
• U.S. students perform at or below international average
• Instruction can be less challenging and lower in critical thinking
• U.S. is also less equitable in reaching all groups
• American families, schools, and societies must work together to improve education
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
