ATPS CPD event, 3rd October 2015, Perth

The future of psychology in schools and colleges:

sticking our heads above the parapet – can we learn from what we see?

 

Morag Williamsonm.williamson@napier.ac.uk

What can we learn from the practices and experiences of others?

Which ‘others’..?• other countries • other levels of education • other points in time (ie the past)

Iceland

......teacher autonomy.... .....free choice of content.... .....motivating..... .....innovation..... ......reliability?

Russia

......in some areas, psychology is taught to children from seven years – ‘psychologisation of curriculum’....

......it is also taught to parents of babies & toddlers......

England & Wales...in the past

Lost topics, sadly missed (by those of us old enough to remember!) eg:

......psychology of perception..... ....and social perception.... ......comparative psychology.....

Maths & stats requirements for the new Psychology A-levels

England & Wales currently:

level of demand at A-level

Scotland...in the past

1999-2005 – .....over-assessment.... .....predictable exam questions...

.....rote-learning.....

Seven domains:

•Scientific inquiry domain•Biopsychology domain•Development & Learning domain•Sociocultural context domain•Cognition domain•Individual variations domain•Applications of psychological science domain

UK university curriculum(1)QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Psychology degrees in UK universities -

Six core knowledge domains:

•Research methods•Biological psychology •Developmental psychology•Social psychology•Cognitive psychology•Individual differences

UK university curriculum (2)BPS GBC curriculum – requirement for BPS accreditation of psychology degrees, conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership

Denmark.....curriculum devised nationally in partnership with the teachers’ association....

.....emphasis on interdisciplinarity.....

..... emphasis on relevance to ‘real-life’ topics affecting students’ lives: “we should start with real-life issues”.....

FinlandOne of the highest performing jurisdictions (HPJs) in international education ratings.....high-quality teacher education..........highly-respected profession......

.....all 16-19 year-olds must study at least one psychology unit - whatever their course: “a basic knowledge of psychology should be the norm for all school-leavers”