ASSIGNMENT HMEF5043_V2

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JANUARY SEMESTER 2015
HMEF5043_V2 - EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT (60%)
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The aim of this assignment is to help you to understand the importance of both cognitive
development and constructivism in the teaching and learning process. The assignment
also provides an opportunity for you to determine students cognitive level based on
Piagets stages and to design activities suitable for their levels.
PART A (40%)
Read the article:
Lutz, S., & Huitt, W. (2004). Connecting cognitive development and constructivism:
Implications from theory for instruction and assessment. Constructivism in the
Human Sciences,9(1), 67-90.
Based on the article read, write in your own words, a summary in about 8 10 pages
that addresses the following:

Summary of the article read

Important findings of the study

The relevance of the findings to your own learning environment

Aspects of the study that are worth applying in your own context

Marks will be awarded for the essay written based on the following criteria:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

The title that reflects the content of the essay

Organization of the essay according to various subsections and coherence
Clarity in relation to introduction, content and conclusion
In depth discussion of the aspects mentioned
Use of APA style in citation and referencing
Presented appropriately with no evidence of plagiarism

PART B (60%)
You are required to:

(a)

Identify using appropriate method(s) Piagets Cognitive Stages of Development

among a sample of students in your own teaching and learning environment.

(b)

Prepare suitable teaching and learning activities for students who have been
grouped based on Piagets Cognitive Stages of Development. The teaching and
learning activities prepared must be for a particular topic of study. The teaching
and learning activities (at least five) must be suitable for the stages identified. All
activities prepared must be accompanied with appropriate objectives and a
description of how they are implemented in the classroom and should show its
variations across the stages identified.

(c)

Evaluate the suitability of the activities by either implementing them in the

classroom or through a review made by experienced teachers.

Write an essay in about 10-12 pages that explains:

the method(s) that you have employed to identify stages among the students
The various teaching and learning activities that you have developed
the evaluation on the suitability of the activities developed

Marks will be awarded for the essay written based on the following criteria:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

The title that reflects the content of the essay

Organization of the essay according to various subsections
Originality of the activities developed
Use of APA style in citation and referencing
Presented appropriately with no evidence of plagiarism

JANUARY SEMESTER 2015

HMEF5043_V2: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
RUBRICS FOR THE MARKING SCHEME
GRADE
PART A
(40%):
Summary of
the article by :
Lutz, S., &
Huitt, W.
(2004)

(31-40)%
Excellent review of
article in relation to all four
aspects required in the
assignment.
Excellent organisation of
thoughts. A very coherent
synthesis with evidence is
provided.

(21-30)%
Well developed
review
of article in 3 of 4
aspects. Good
organisation of
thoughts. Good
synthesis with
evidence
is provided.

(11-20)%
Good review of
article in 2 of 4 aspects.
Good organisation of
thoughts. Candidate
has illustrated
synthesis with
average evidence.

(1-10)%
Satisfactory review of article in
2 of 4 aspects. Average
organisation of thought.
Synthesis is evident with some
or few evidences provided.

GRADE
PART B
Section 1
(20%):
Methodology
Employed

(16-20)%
An excellent methodology
that is based on research
findings is used and
adapted for the purpose
of the study. Evidence of
collaboration in
developing the instrument
is evident.
(26-30)%
Excellent organization of
thoughts. 5 7 suitable
and relevant activities
have been proposed and
it is appropriate to the
level of students and topic
identified. Activities have

(11-15)%
A good
methodology used
is and it is
suitable to identify
Piagetian stages
among students

(6-10)%
The methodology used
is sufficient but could be
improved further. The
methodology uses
limited research
findings.

(1-5)%
The methodology employed is
less useful to identify
Piagetians stages and may
not allow appropriate
identification of student type

(21-25%
Good
organization of
thoughts. 4 -5
suitable and
relevant activities
have been
proposed and it is

(11-20)%

(1-10)%
Activities proposed may not be
suitable for the topic and
students level. Activities have
not been well explained and
lacks clarity. Objectives of the
activities are not clearly
mentioned.

GRADE
PART B
Section 2
(30%):
Teaching and
Learning
Activities

Good
organization of
thoughts. 3 4 suitable
activities have been
proposed and it is
appropriate to the level
of students and topics

GRADE

GRADE
PART B
Evaluation of
teaching and
activities
(10%)

(31-40)%
been backed using
research evidence.
Objectives are clear.

(9-10)%
An excellent evaluation of
the activities was provided
based on students
feedback and expert
opinion.

(21-30)%
appropriate to the
level of students
and topic
identified.
Objectives are
clear.
(6 8) %
A satisfactory
evaluation of the
activities was
provided based on
students feedback
and expert opinion

(11-20)%
identified. Objectives
are clear.

(3 5 )%
Evaluation is provided
based on 1 of the 2
mechanisms suggested.
Evaluation is limited in
its explanation.

(1-10)%

((1 2) %
Evaluation that is based on
personel opinion is provided
and lacks support. Evaluation
is not clear and is not
explained in detail.