The Highland Council Psychological Service has developed a post-graduate module for the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) entitled Applying Psychology to Learning

  • The on-line module was developed following a needs analysis of what Additional Support Needs teachers told us they would find useful to study as part of continuing professional development.
  • As it was developed in Highland, the Head of ASN has agreed to fund five applicants for the module starting in February 2017.
  • The Service sees this as a pilot for the materials and will support those taking the module.
  • The course can be studied as a stand-alone CPD module or as part of UHI’s on-line MEd.
  • More course information is shown below and overleaf

All prospective students need to apply for the MEd and select the Applying Psychology to Learning module.

Background

With Scottish Government initiatives including the National Improvement Framework; Raising Attainment for All; Closing the Attainment Gap and ‘How Good is Our School 4’ as well as legislation around additional support needs and ‘Getting it Right for Every child’, there is a real drive to ensure all learners have their needs met and that teachers are professionally equipped for the challenge.

With this in mind, the Highland Council Psychological Service carried out a needs-analysis of ASN Teachers in Highland to identify areas that teachers would like training in. This led to the development of, ‘Applying Psychology to Learning’; a distance learning post graduate module (SCQF Level 11 worth 20credits) which has been adopted as part of the MEd course by UHI or which can be studied as a stand-alone CPD module.

The module covers the four areas outlined below.

Role and Responsibilities: Students will examine current legislation and critically analyse what is meant by meaningful inclusion and how this is put into practice in their own settings. Effective communication using a solution focused approach will also be considered as a means to enhance student communication skills with parents and professionals.

Cognitive: Students will consider how children learn through a critical understanding of cognitive theories; working memory and attention. Students will link theories and practice and evaluate them within the classroom.

Assessment and Intervention: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the pedagogical theory underpinning current practice in assessment and intervention including Education Scotland’s stance on assessment. They will undertake a critical evaluation of Dweck’s work on Fixed and Growth Mindsets and be able to understand and interpret tests. They will have a critical understanding of various aspects of differentiation.

Emotions and Learning: Students will develop their underlying thinking around challenging behaviour based on the premise that challenging behaviour is the communication of the child’s emotional response to their environment and circumstances. Risk and resilience will be examined as will brain development, trauma and attachment.

Part-time study is about 200 hours usually over 10 – 12 weeks

A description of the module can be found on UHI’s website. Please see below

The first course is in February 2017 and it is envisaged that only 5 applicants will be accepted on the first run through. It is hoped that those participating can form part of a Highland ‘learning community’ supported by the Psychological Service.

Fees are being reduced for Highland students at £350 in view of the fact that the Psychological Service has developed the materials.The first 5 applicants will have their course fees paid.

For further information about the module please contact