What is the role of educational psychology?

Educational psychology is the branch of psychology that studies the processes of human learning and development, and how they relate to the design and implementation of educational programmes. The overall aim is to better understand how individuals learn and how to improve educational outcomes for learners of all ages.

As more research is carried out and we understand more about the learning processes, the field of educational psychology has become increasingly important in school, university and other education settings, and plays a key role in areas such as creating teaching strategies, designing the curriculum, and developing assessment methods.

In this post, we will explore the role of educational psychology in more detail, looking at its main functions, theories, and applications. And if this an area you would like to develop your understanding, you should consider the degree in Psychology in Valencia.

What is educational psychology?

Educational psychology is a sub-category of pycholgy which aims to understand, describe, predict, and influence human behaviour in the context of education. This involves a wide range of activities, including:

• Understanding the learning process: educational psychologists study how individuals learn and process information, including the cognitive, emotional, and social factors that influence learning.
• Developing effective teaching strategies: Based on their understanding of the learning process, educational psychologists develop strategies and techniques to enhance learning outcomes for students of all ages.
• Designing and implementing educational programmes: educational psychologists work with educators and policymakers to design and implement effective programmess that promote learning and development.
• Evaluating educational programmes: educational psychologists use various assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs, including tests, surveys, and observations.
• Providing support for students: educational psychologists work with students, parents, and teachers to provide support for students who may be struggling with learning or other issues.

Educational psychologist: What do they do?

Educational psychologists work in different settings so their role can vary greatly. However, some of the common tasks they perform include:

• Assessment: conduct assessments to identify learning difficulties and disabilities, as well as to identify academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Intervention:  design and implement interventions that help students overcome academic and behavioural difficulties.
• Consultation: provide consultation to teachers, parents, and administrators on issues related to learning, behaviour, and development.
• Research: conduct research to understand the factors that contribute to learning and development.
• Training and Professional Development: provide training and professional development to teachers, school administrators, and other professionals.

What degree do I need to be an educational psychologist?

There are many routes into being an educational psychologist but as it is normally a regulated professional, the most common route is to study a degree in Psychology, a programme that will actually open doors to a career in many of the branches of psychology.

At Universidad Europea, our approach to learning is based on an experiential method. As well as spending time in the classroom with our expert faculty, students spent more than 600 hours over the course of their four-year degree carrying out professional practice at clinics, gaining vital experience in a client setting. In addition, in both Valencia and Madrid, students on the psychology degree will have access to elite facilities such as the Simulated Hospital.