Activity 1

Title: Brainstorming Class Activities

Instructional Strategy: Brainstorming

Purpose:

This activity is designed to motivate students to become more interested and aware of developmental theories and their implications.

Objectives:

• Recognize variations in abilities of human beings depending upon their developmental level.

Student Activity:

On the board, list the stages for 1 or more of the following theorists: Erikson, Piaget, Kohlberg. Have students work individually or in groups to brainstorm different characteristics of students in each stage. Encourage them to compare and contrast students at each stage in terms of cognitive, moral, and social characteristics. Finally, ask students to discuss the implications of these theories for education.

Variation:

1. Form teams and list developmental items related to each age group. Share lists with other groups and fill in any missing information.
2. Rank the items on the list in order of importance for teachers. Blindly vote 10, 9, 8, 7, 6., etc. for each category.

Activity 2

Title: Educational Psychologist Role Play

Instructional Strategy: Critical Thinking

Purpose:

This activity is designed to help students understand the similarities and differences between various educational psychology theories.

Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of educational issues from multiple theoretical perspectives.
• Develop an understanding and familiarity of several major educational psychology theories (e.g., Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, Gilligan).

Student Activity:

Form groups of four to five. In groups assume the role of a major educational psychologist. Make sure that each group chooses a different theorist. Select an educational issue or question and first discuss issues within the group and decide how the particular psychologist would answer the question. Select a representative to present the position of your group. The representatives can sit in a circle in front of the class, and discuss the selected educational issue or question. The instructor can act as a moderator for the discussion. Following the general discussion, other members of the class can ask questions to help explain or clarify a point.

Variations:

1. Read articles and books of primary sources of each psychologist, and role-play answers to modern educational dilemmas. Cite quotes of the educational psychologist when appropriate.
2. During or before class, look up information on these major figures on the Internet. Print out and share findings.
3. In a small group of two to three create a web site for a famous psychologist interested in human development.
4. Contact an educator or psychologist who is well known for following or extending the work of a particular developmental psychologist. Have a telephone or computer conference with that individual asking about research and open issues.