Educational Psychology is the branch of applied psychology. Among all branches of psychology, It plays an important role. Because the knowledge of the child depends on the educational system. The work on reforming the educational system depends on educational psychology. We can develop education only when we understand the importance of educational psychology.

Therefore, we cannot think of education without educational psychology which teaching method of use and how to recognize the learning level of the child, all this educational psychology tells.

Only educational psychology tells how to make pedagogy psychological. If we talk about its spread then it is spread at all levels of education primary, secondary, and college levels. The main need and importance of educational psychology. They are:-

Needs of Educational Psychology

• In this process, the teacher does not depend only on the textbooks, but he teaches in a psychological way. That is why educational psychology takes the highest place. The teacher studies educational psychology thoroughly. And develops educational psychology.
• In the old education system, there was a lack of science and technology. But Educational psychology has mixed science and technology in education. Children now learn through projects and technology.
• The goal of education is to teach according to the student’s abilities and possibilities. This psychology shows children’s deficits and strengths.
• It shows how teachers can make teaching effective by using minimum energy. And make adjustments between students and teachers.
• This psychology explains how to motivate students using motivational theory. Motivation has a positive effect on children. So, a teacher uses motivational theory.
• It suggests that students should focus more on understanding and reflective level than on rote learning. In modern times, education is an understandable process.
• With the help of this psychology, the teacher identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the student.
• How to make teaching effective through the use of teaching aids.
• How to reduce student absenteeism in the educational setting.
•  It is to promote education by following community guidelines.
• It recognizes individual differences.
•  Educational psychologists explain how to evaluate formative assessment and work on action research.
•  Educational psychology explains what is the preparation of teaching and how this objective can be achieved.

Other Importance of this Psychology

• Understanding gifted and slow learners and implementing projects and assessments according to their abilities.
• Creating a conducive environment for student learning.
• Helping students in need through special education.
• recognizing the student’s negative emotional attachment.
• strengthen education with the help of counseling and guidance.
• Educational psychologists stated that education cannot be achieved through superstitious thoughts and feelings.

  

Methods of Educational Psychology

Experimental psychology is considered incomplete without psychological methods. Students’ behavior is predicted with the help of psychological methods. They are:-

1.  Observation Method:-     Observation is presented with the help of perception. This method can be done without any technology.

We can identify the external behavior of the student with the help of observation. This method is often used in sociology and psychology. There is a higher probability of error in evaluation and interpretation. It leads to flexibility and economy.

The internal behavior of students cannot be identified by observation. This is because their behavior is time and place-dependent. The cause-and-effect relationship cannot be established in observation.

2.  Introspection method:-   It is also called self-observation and inward observation. If a student is anxious and restless, he will feel it himself and tell the teacher. This method lacks reliability, validity, and objectivity.

3.  Experimental Method:-  According to this method, a cause and effect combination is established. This relationship occurs between independent and dependent variables. This method leads to manipulated independent variables. The experimental method is a very costly and time-consuming process.

3.  Differential Method:- As the name suggested, this method depends on individual differences. This method is also called the normative survey method or field survey method. It differs from the experimental method because in this method independent variables cannot be manipulated.

4.  Clinical Method:- In this method, the student’s maladaptives behavior is assessed and then treated. This method also depends on individual differences. The clinical interview is widely used in clinical settings.

Elements of Educational Psychology

There are many elements of educational psychology. But we will discuss the main elements only. They are:-

1. Learners- The instructor teaches the learners. Education can be completed if the learner is willing to learn. Thus, learners are the main elements of educational psychology.

2. Teachers- In the educational environment, the teacher is the most important element. Because the teacher uses different teaching methods. And he makes education become a reality.

3. Environmental conditions- The students live in society. And the environmental conditions around him. The environment has both a positive and a negative influence.

4. Teaching methods- The teacher uses different teaching methods because of individual differences. And most students learn through teaching methods.

5. Piaget’s cognitive theory- Jean Piaget divided the children’s cognitive development into four stages. And Piaget’s theory cannot be separated from educational psychology.

6. Psychological Tests- The behavior of the students is measured by psychological tests. And, these tests are valid and reliable. Therefore, psychological treatment is not possible without these tests.

7. Personality theories- Personality is represented with the help of behavior, motivation, emotional thoughts, and thinking patterns. These theories are used to measure personality.

8. Cognitive Science-  This science is also called cognitive neuroscience. And cognitive science studies how the brain works.

Theories of Educational Psychology

Many theories influence educational psychology. All theories work on their ideology. And all these ideologies are used in this psychology. Their theories make education strong. They are behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.

I. Behaviorism  This is a special form of ideology. And this ideology prioritizes conditioning. J.B. Watson has played an important role in developing behaviorism. According to Watson, consciousness cannot be studied scientifically. Because consciousness cannot be touched and seen. Overt and observable behavior can be measured.

He works based on S-R connection. According to him, a stimulus is the first stage and a response is the final stage. Students make a response only based on stimulus. And without stimulus, the response cannot occur. I. Pavlov experimented on a dog and proved that response comes from stimulus only. Behavior can be changed by conditioning.

II. Cognitivism    Cognitive psychology explains how to measure internal behavior. This psychology details how information is received. And how are stored in our brain after being organized? Cognitivism assumes that when students use their thinking, their learning power becomes much stronger.

Piaget believes that children’s cognitive abilities vary depending on the stage. The next stage is better than the previous stage. This means that cognitive performance increases.

III. Constructivism    This theory is presented with the help of a theoretical perspective. J. Piaget says that children make their perceptions based on what they know. L. Vygotsky emphasizes that culture plays a central role in constructive processes. And if the student gets help when he needs it, his mental process becomes stronger.

Characteristics of Educational Psychologist

• Good listening skills
• Patience
• Non-judgemental
• Cultural sensitivity
• Honesty
• Keeping records confidential
• Follow goal-oriented approach
• Knowledge of the local language
• Command in establishing a relationship
• Empathy
• Self-awareness
• Knowledge of psychological testing

Conclusion

The understanding level of the teacher increases. And the teacher knows about the shortcomings of the students. Because teachers also have some shortcomings. And he tries to overcome these shortcomings through practice and rehearsal.

The teacher measures the children’s behavior. So that the teacher can teach according to the students. Because experiments cannot be done on students all the time. So, the teacher uses the observation method. So that the behavior condition of the student can be understood. And holistic development of the child.

Teachers are also taught about educational psychology during training. Child pedagogy is also related to educational psychology.

If the students are not taught according to educational psychology. When this happens, they have less interest in learning. And they can’t concentrate on their studies. So, Students and educational psychology are interconnected. And now schools are being taught according to psychological methods. Doing this leads to the overall development of students.

Definition of psychology by Psychologists