THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Department of Educational Psychology
EDP 3203.001
Learning and Development in the Secondary School Adolescent
Spring 2014

Instructor: Dr. Suzanne Winter Room: AET 0.204
Class Meets: M 1:00-3:45 pm Campus: Main 1604


Required Text Reading
Educational Psychology, 12
th
Edition. Woolfolk. ISBN: 9780132613163 Pearson Education, Inc.
*Bring your text to each class. Students will complete activities within the text and will use the text as a
resource for instructor provided activities.

Course Description
An introduction to major theories of learning and development, with an emphasis on applications at the
secondary level. Topics include individual and group differences, motivation & secondary-level
classroom management.

Note: This Syllabus is provided for informational purposes regarding the anticipated course content
and schedule of this course. It is based upon the most recent information available on the date of its
issuance and is as accurate and complete as possible. I reserve the right to make any changes I deem
necessary and/or appropriate. I will make my best efforts to communicate any changes in the syllabus
in a timely manner. Students are responsible for being aware of these changes.

Course Objectives

The student will be given the opportunity to:
1. Understand develop an introductory knowledge base of the behavioral, social, and cognitive views of
learning.
2. Examine different theoretical perspectives on learning and motivation from a human development
philosophy.
3. Study the role of differentiated instructional strategies and practices in accommodating differences in
abilities, learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and linguistic preferences of individual students.
4. Learn assessment instruments and methods used to evaluate student learning and achievement.
5. Study models of classroom organization and management to promote learning and motivation in
diverse groups of students.
6. Apply theoretical and practical knowledge to demonstrate skills and understanding of developmental
psychology in school settings.



STUDENT EVALUATION

Evaluation of student performance is based upon a point system. Three (3) assessments will be used to
determine a students mastery of course objectives. The final grade in the course will be determined by
the points the student has earned. No extra credit assignments will be offered to students in this
course.

Assignments
Grading criteria and specifications for each assignment will be given by the instructor. The following
conditions must be observed:
1. Assignments must be submitted electronically BEFORE class time or as specified by instructor
on or before the specified due date.
2. No late assignments will be accepted. Missed assignments will receive a grade of zero.
Emergency situations will be evaluated at the discretion of the instructor.
3. Assignments must be complete upon submission. Incomplete assignments will receive a grade
of zero. No resubmission will be allowed unless specifically requested by the instructor.
4. Format: All written assignments should be prepared in a manner that reflects the students
competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction. Assignments should
be typed, neat and error-free. Margins - 1 on all sides, Font Times New Roman, Size 12.
5. Oral class discussion should reflect the students professionalism in grammar, vocabulary, and
sentence construction.
(3) Examinations
Three (3) examinations will be administered during the semester. The examination will consist of
questions derived from the class discussions, reading assignments in the text, and other course
materials as assigned by the instructor. Examinations may be taken only on the date and time scheduled
by the instructor. Emergency situations will only be considered at the discretion of the instructor.

Grading
3 Examinations 300 points

Total 300 points
Final Grade Distribution
A+ = 290-300 A = 280-289 A- = 270-279
B+ = 260-269 B = 250-259 B- = 240-249
C+ = 230-239 C = 220-229 C- = 210-219
D+ = 200-209 D = 190-199 D- = 180-189
F = 179 or less
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Inclusion
Students with Disabilities: Students with documented exceptionalities should register with Disability
Services (MS 2.0318, 458-4981 or Downtown BV 1.302, 458-2945).

Americans with Disabilities Act
The University of Texas at San Antonio is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all
federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA. All instructors
at UTSA are required by law to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, so as
not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Any student requiring an accommodation for this
course must provide the instructor with official documentation in the form of a letter certified by the
staff in the Office of Disability Services. Only those students who have officially documented a need for
an accommodation will have their request honored. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and
policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at
www.utsa.edu/disability or by calling Disability Services at (210) 458-4157.
Toms Rivera Center:
Toms Rivera Center (GSLA) Melissa Thomas x4691 Melissa.Thomas@utsa.edu
The Graduate School John Shaffer x4111 John.Shaffer@utsa.edu
Writing Center Martha Smith x6593 Martha.Smith@utsa.edu
Library Michelle Millet x5536 Michelle.Millet@utsa.edu

Toms Rivera Center Student Learning Assistance
I encourage you to utilize the academic support services available to you through the Toms Rivera
Center (TRC) to assist you with building study skills and tutoring and Supplemental Instruction in course
content. These services are available at no additional cost to you. The TRC has several locations at the
Main Campus and is also located at the Downtown Campus. For more information, visit the web site at
www.utsa.edu/trcss or call (210) 458-4694 on the Main Campus and (210) 458-2838 on the Downtown
Campus.
The Judith G. Gardner Center for Writing Excellence (The Writing Center)
At the Writing Center, peer tutors help undergraduate and graduate students with any step in the
writing process, from brainstorming and understanding an assignment to planning and revising. We can
help with all types of writing assignments, including essays, technical writing, and research papers. In
addition to one-on-one peer tutoring, we offer workshops throughout the semester on documentation
and other writing topics. We have two locations: JPL 2.01.12D (on the 1604 campus) and FS 4.432 (on
the downtown campus). To learn more about our hours and our workshop schedule, visit our website:
www.utsa.edu/twc. To keep up with the latest updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
UTSA Libraries
The UTSA Libraries offers graduate students individualized research consultations with librarian subject
specialists, which can be scheduled at any time. In addition to services such as article e-delivery, book
pulling and interlibrary loans, each semester the libraries offer a slate of free workshops ranging from
basic research skills to more advanced instruction on specialized databases and resourcesseveral of
which are targeted specifically to grad students. The John Peace Library has two study rooms reserved
for graduate students on the 3
rd
floor - one for group study and one for quiet study.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Attendance and Participation

*Please note: Students are responsible for downloading handouts and bringing text to each
scheduled class meeting

Attendance of scheduled classes is mandatory for the completion of this course. In class discussions and
activities designed for class participation cannot be replicated apart from class sessions and may not be
completed outside of allotted class time. No makeup work will be given by the instructor. Attendance
of scheduled classes is considered in the final grade earned in the course.

It is the students responsibility to sign the class roster or to indicate presence as requested by the
instructor. In order to be considered in attendance for the class, the student must arrive on time and
remain for the entire class period. Tardiness, leaving early or absence from class sessions more than
once will result in a subsequent reduction of the final course grade. Upon the second tardiness or early
departure, a reduction of the final grade by 5 points will result. Each additional tardy or early departure
will result in an additional reduction of the final grade by 5 points. Upon the second absence, students
will receive a reduction of the final grade by 10 points. Each additional absence will result in a
subsequent reduction of the final grade by 10. Emergency situations will be considered only at the
discretion of the instructor.
If a class is missed, the student is responsible for all material covered in class including all handouts. The
information and materials given in class are only available in class. If you are absent, the instructor will
not have extra copies of handouts when you return to class. If absent, do not ask the instructor what
was missed. Instead, find a class contact person who will share information and notes/handouts that
were missed.

Distractions

In order to minimize distractions, students should enter and exit the room quietly and should not
leave the room during class unless an emergency arises. Students will refrain from engaging in
individual conversations during lectures or class discussions.
Children in the Classroom

No children are allowed in the classroom. This is for the safety and well-being of the child.




Electronic Devices

All cell phones and beepers must be turned off during class periods unless prior permission has been
given by the instructor. No electronic recording of lectures or class sessions may be done without the
prior permission of the instructor. Laptops use requires prior permission by the instructor (Ad.
Memorandum No. 54).

Drops, withdrawals

Students should monitor and evaluate their acquisition of knowledge, relative performance, and
achievement in this course over the semester. Significant deadlines for actions are specified in the
Bulletin of Classes for the current semester.

Eating, drinking, smoking

No eating, drinking, or smoking is allowed in UTSA classrooms and laboratories. (Ad. Memorandum No.
54). Please engage in these activities during breaks outside the classroom.

Fitness to Practice Policies
The instructor will follow all the policies and procedures, concerning students, as they are specified in
the UTSA Faculty Handbook and the Fitness to Teach Policy document. The Fitness to Practice Policies
for the UTSA HOP 5.17 as well as the Educational Psychology Department are located on the following
website -http://education.utsa.edu/ , select Educational Psychology Department and you will find the
Student Section with links to the policies
Student Standards of Conduct and Performance:

1. Students are expected to adhere to UTSAs principles of academic integrity. See the Student
catalog for an explanation of issues related to and the consequences of plagiarism, cheating,
and other acts of academic dishonesty (Grad Catalog, pp. 49-50).
2. Students must demonstrate fitness to practice standards at all times. Please be aware that
classroom behavior, discussion, professionalism, and coursework will be used to evaluate your
fitness to practice. See www.utssa.edu/hop/chapter 5/5-16.htm for information on fitness to
practice. Be aware that your course paper may be scanned for text copied/plagiarized from
online info, papers, and other resources. Any student caught plagiarizing his/her work will
automatically fail the course.


Scholastic Dishonesty

Any incidence of scholastic dishonesty or other student discipline issues will be managed as the
Handbook specifies (Faculty Handbook, Section 2.37, pages IV-3li-vi). Students are expected to be above
reproach in scholastic activities. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are
subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the
University. "Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the
submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another
person, taking an exam for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or
the attempt to commit such acts." (Regent's Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3,
Subsection 3.2, subdivision 3.22). Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the
integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
BE CAREFUL. It is appropriate to summarize someone elses thought. In this case, you use your own
words to describe an idea someone else has. When you do this, be sure to provide the reference. But, if
you use their words, you need to PUT IT IN QUOTES followed by the page number, author, and date of
the source.

Too many students have been caught PLAGARIZING. Do not let this happen to you. If you are doubtful
about what to do, bring it to me and ask. Plagiarism will result in automatic F in this course

The University of Texas at San Antonio Academic Honor Code

A. Preamble
The University of Texas at San Antonio community of past, present and future students, faculty,
staff, and administrators share a commitment to integrity and the ethical pursuit of knowledge.
We honor the traditions of our university by conducting ourselves with a steadfast duty to
honor, courage, and virtue in all matters both public and private. By choosing integrity and
responsibility, we promote personal growth, success, and lifelong learning for the advancement
of ourselves, our university, and our community.
B. Honor Pledge
In support of the ideals of integrity, the students of the University of Texas at San Antonio
pledge:
As a UTSA Roadrunner I live with honor and integrity.
C. Shared responsibility
The University of Texas at San Antonio community shares the responsibility and commitment to
integrity and the ethical pursuit of knowledge and adheres to the UTSA Honor Code.














The University of Texas at San Antonio is a community of scholars, where integrity, excellence,
inclusiveness, respect, collaboration, and innovation are fostered.
As a Roadrunner,
I will:
Uphold the highest standards of academic and personal integrity by practicing and
expecting fair and ethical conduct;

Respect and accept individual differences, recognizing the inherent dignity of each
person;

Contribute to campus life and the larger community through my active engagement; and

Support the fearless exploration of dreams and ideas in the advancement of ingenuity,
creativity, and discovery.

Guided by these principles now and forever, I am a Roadrunner!

The Roadrunner Creed
*Tentative Course Schedule

Please note: Students are responsible for downloading handouts and bringing text to each scheduled class
meeting
* Subject to Change at Discretion of Instructor


1/13 Introduction to Course
Ch. 1 Learning, Teaching, & Educational Psychology

1/20 HOLIDAY: Martin Luther King

1/27 Ch. 2 Cognitive Development

2/3 Ch. 3 Self, Social, & Moral Development
Ch. 4 Learner Differences and Learning Needs

2/10 Ch. 5 Language Development, Language Diversity & Immigrant Education
Ch. 6 Culture & Diversity

2/17 Examination #1

2/24 Ch. 7 Behavioral Views of Learning

3/3 Ch. 8 Cognitive Views of Learning

3/10 SPRING BREAK

3/17 Ch. 9 Complex Cognitive Processes

3/24 Ch. 10 The Learning Sciences and Constructivism

3/31 Examination #2

4/7 Ch. 11 Social Cognitive Views of Learning and Motivation
Ch. 12 Motivation in Learning & Teaching

4/14 Ch.13 Creating Learning Environments

4/21 Ch. 14 Teaching Every Student

4/28 Ch. 15 Classroom Assessment, Grading, and Standardized Testing

5/5 Examination #3