Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Initial Thoughts...

After the first tutorial (and two lectures now) I am beginning to see a very wide application of the area of social psychology. The social self permeates and effects all aspects of our lives. Now, you might be thinking that I'm stating the obvious and I would agree with you.

As an education student doing this unit I am very interested to see the many links that will occur between social psychology and education. I look forward to the ways that this unit will assist my development as a teacher in becoming one who understands more thoroughly the ins and outs of the many different types of relationship that occur in the school setting.
I am looking forward to being able to apply what I learn on professional experience in schools, while I'm a student teacher as well as when I graduate...

3 comments:

James Neill said...

Hi Beth,

I'm also very interested in how social psychology can apply to education. Although we don't specifically address this as a topic in the unit, much of social psych is applicable to education. However, I will try to pass on any education-specific material I come across. Do you know who the other education students are who are also in this social psych unit? It could be useful for all you to 'connect' if you aren't already.

What areas of teaching / social psych are you interested in?

beth said...

Even though the unit does not address education directly I am seeing many areas of application to education. One of these came up with the topic of prejudice today. I can see how prejudices are very closely linked to bullying in schools. It is pretty much a definate thing too that you will get students from diverse cultural backgrounds in the classroom as well as students from unique family situations and a range of social classes etc. The work this week on prejudice has really contributed to my understanding of creating a positive learning environment in school for children.
I am lucky to have one of my fellow primary education students in my tute group. Her name is Nicole Merchant and I'm sure she would appreicate receiving any education related social pscyh. material you come across!
I'm doing primary education and I suppose one of the main reasons I chose to do social psych. was because the primary years are an extrememly diverse time of social development in children and contribute alot to their learning and the atmosphere of the classroom.

Pav said...

The group culture focus in social psych is going to have a huge relevance to your teaching Beth. Since lots of us haven't been out of school very long, we can remember all too well the way kids work in and between groups. I especially remember how nasty girls are at high school and primary too. My bro is a kindy teacher and he says that the psych stuff he's done gives him loads of advantage with the kids.
Hope study keeps being good for you. (It says Pav, but I'm Simeon)