Undergraduate Handbook 2026-2027
Module EDUC1521: Foundations of Psychology in Education
Department: Education
EDUC1521: Foundations of Psychology in Education
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 1 | 20 | Available in 2026/2027 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
- CFG0: Natural Sciences
- CFG1: Natural Sciences with Year Abroad
- CFG2: Natural Sciences with Placement
- LA01: Liberal Arts
- LA02: Liberal Arts (with Year Abroad)
- LA03: Liberal Arts (with Placement Year)
- LMV0: Combined Honours in Social Sciences
- LMVA: Combined Honours in Social Sciences (with Year Abroad)
- LMVP: Combined Honours in Social Sciences (with Placement Year)
- X101: Primary Education
- X102: Primary Education (with Year Abroad)
- X103: Primary Education (with Placement Year)
- X1C8: Education Studies - Psychology
- X1F8: Education Studies - Geography
- X2F8: Education Studies - Geography (with Year Abroad)
- X2L3: Education Studies - Sociology (with Year Abroad)
- X305: Education Studies
- X306: Education Studies (with Placement Year)
- X308: Education Studies (with Year Abroad)
- X3F8: Education Studies - Geography (with Placement Year)
- X3L3: Education Studies - Sociology (with Placement Year)
- XC81: Education Studies - Psychology (with Placement Year)
- XC82: Education Studies - Psychology (with Year Abroad)
- XL33: Education Studies - Sociology
Pre-requisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- To develop a foundation for an understanding of psychological principles, processes and theories in education.
Content
- The module introduces key theories and ideas about how people learn.
- Learning is conceptualised as a complex, non-linear process of within-person change in mental processes and behaviour; a process that is impacted by the complex interplay between person and contextual factors.
- Key psychological principles involved in learning are introduced and discussed.
- Both, cognitive and non-cognitive person characteristics are considered in relation to learning.
- Implications for education will be discussed.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Knowledge and understanding of some important theories, related constructs and processes of cognition, motivation and emotion in relation to learning.
- Knowledge of a range of internal and external factors which might influence the development and formation of these concepts and processes, and an initial understanding of the implications for learning and the optimisation of teaching.
- An understanding of the significance and limitations of psychological research in education.
Subject-specific Skills
- Students will develop an understanding of, and be able to, evaluate and reflect on their own learning experience.
- To interrogate the assumptions underpinning theory and research in relation to learning.
Key Skills
- Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively orally and in written form.
- Manage time and work to deadlines.
- Construct and sustain a reasoned argument.
- Evaluate and make use of information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Students will be introduced to a range of psychological theories relating to learning. Students will have opportunities during the seminars to engage in discussion about the central constructs and ideas and to deepen their understanding developed through individual and group work activities.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 10 in Term 1 and 10 in Term 2 | 1 hour | 20 | Yes |
| Seminars | 10 | 5 in Term 1 and 5 in Term 2 | 1 hour | 10 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 100% | Portfolio (including critical commentary on blog posts) | 1500 words (plus blog posts) | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Ongoing class blog activity will serve as the formative assessment for the module with students receiving periodic tutor and peer feedback on posts in both written and oral form.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.