32109 - Investigation and Intervention Techniques in Educational Contexts

Learning outcomes

At the end of the learning activity the student: is able to design and implement research/intervention in educational contexts; knows and is able to use research methods and data collection instruments typical of developmental psychologist; knows roles and functions of educational psychologist both at the national and international level

Course contents

The course will take place during the first semester (from September until mid-December) at the Cesena Campus (address: p.za A. Moro, 90 Cesena, FC).

The course will be held in the presence (unless new measures for the containment of the Coronavirus pandemic should be introduced)

Course Prerequisites are background knowledge in developmental and educational psychology, as well as in research methodology. To apply for the School and Community Psychology Master, students are required to demonstrate the required level of knoweldge.

The course contents are integrated with the contents of other courses of the program. This “integrated” approach will provide students with connections among courses/disciplines and provide a deeper understanding of contents touched upon in previous courses.

Course program:

1. Role and functions of school psychologists and status of the profession of school psychology in Italy, Europe and internationally.

2. Professional practice of school psychologists.

3. Research / Intervention design and implementation.

Readings/Bibliography

Articles and materials presented during the lessons are required to successfully pass the exam.

International students (e.g. incoming Erasmus students) who encounter difficulties in Italian language use, may ask the teacher for textbooks written in English and take the final examination in English:

Jimerson, S. R., Oakland, T.D., & Farrell, P. T. (Eds), (2006). The Handbook of International School Psychology. Thousand Oacks, CA: Sage.(Chapters 45, 48, 49 + one Country chapter).

Additional reading (for student who lack of methodological knowledges):

Mertens D. M. (1998). Research methods in education and psychology : integrating diversity with quantitative & qualitative approaches. Thousand Oaks ; London ; New Delhi : Sage.

Teaching methods

The course will be held in presence (unless new measures for the containment of the Coronavirus pandemic should be introduced).

Lectures, discussion of cases, individual or group practical activites, discussion of scientific articles, seminars given by professionals.

Assessment methods

The final exam is an oral examination lasting about 15/20 minutes. The oral exam consists of the discussion of the Project Work and of the issues addressed during the training and is aimed at verifying the achievement of the following didactic objectives:
-ability to apply and argue the theoretical-methodological knowledge provided by the course;
- Knowledge and use of the main tools of investigation and intervention in school-educational contexts;
- ability to design investigations and improvement interventions in school-educational contexts.

The realization of the Project Work requires the analysis of one or more scientific articles and/or documents related to school psychology and the design of a path of investigation/intervention consistent with the materials analyzed, and is aimed at verifying the achievement of the following didactic objectives
- knowledge and use of the main tools of investigation and intervention in school-educational contexts;
- ability to design investigations and improvement interventions in school-educational contexts.

The overall final grade will be in thirtieths (maximum score: 30/30). Each answer will be scored from 0 to a maximum of 10 points. The evaluation of the answers will take into account the following criteria: (1) completeness of answers; (2) congruence of answers; and (3) personal reworking skills. If all the answers are provided in a particularly clear, exhaustive manner and with an argument that shows full mastery of the subject, honors will be added to the final grade.

There will be 2 appeals per session (Jan/Feb, Jun/Jul, Sep/Oct).

According to the University regulations, the student must accept/reject the grade on the spot (during the oral exam) and it will be recorded on the same day.

Registration for the exam must be done through the Almaesami app (https://almaesami.unibo.it).

NB. Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders can contact the teacher and the University's Service for Students with Disabilities and DSA (http://www.studentidisabili.unibo.it/ ) to agree on suitable teaching and assessment methods.
International students can take the exam in English.

***If restrictive measures related to the coronavirus emergency will be adopted, the exam could be conducted online. Advice will be provided if/when restrictions will be implemented at national or regional level.

 

Teaching tools

Contents of the course are presented using a variety of means including PowerPoint lectures, research articles, practical exercises, and analysis of web-based materials (e-Platform: virtuale.unibo.it). Learning activities are closely aligned with overall course goals and objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Cristina Matteucci