Educational psychology informs the education process in numerous ways.  The theories of human development, learning, motivation, and instruction are just some of the ways educational psychology is applied to the education field.  By referring to principles in educational psychology, it is beneficial to those in the education field because if one follows the principles, the outcome will be pre-determined and the teacher, prepared.  By using these theories, it helps us to better understand our students and the more we are able to understand them, the more they will benefit from the classroom.

            By following principles of the developmental theories outlined primarily by Piaget, Vygotsky, and Erikson, it is easier to assess a student’s ability as according to their developmental stage.  The concepts of personal, social, and moral development—terms coined by Erikson—I believe is perhaps most valuable to the teacher and the classroom.  By adhering to the needs present in psychosocial development, a strong classroom-teacher relationship will prosper.

            Like applying the theories of developmental theory to the classroom, it is also important to become familiar with the theories of learning.  It is vital to know these theories and apply them because a student’s ability to learn in the classroom is based off of the teacher’s ability to teach.  The ability of the teacher to teach must be in the student’s best interest to learn.  Knowing the information-processing and cognitive theories of learning is vital to the direct success of students.  By learning these theories, it is easier to know what to expect from students and that knowledge is important when devising tests and curricula for the classroom.

            Another impeccably crucial aspect of educational psychology is the concepts and principles of individualized instruction.  Knowing how to instruct students is determined by the needs, motivation, and ability of the student.  Based on what we know about educational psychology and the learning theories, it is important to figure out a student’s learning style, or rather incorporate the two basic learning styles of both visual and auditory learning styles in the classroom.  Using both of these learning styles in the classroom is the only sure and effective way of knowing that each student will receive individualized instruction.

            For the classroom to function successfully, it is beneficial for both the teachers and students to have motivation.  The theories of motivation and behavior learning theories have a great impact in the classroom if used and applied correctly.  I believe it is important to understand that the needs of the student should be fulfilled if an effective learning experience is to take place.  The value and emphasis placed on rewards, reinforcements, and punishments must be applied at a theoretical happy-medium that co-exists with the motivation of the students and the motive of the teacher.  It is also crucial to become familiar with the attributions of success and failure of your students so when either of those occurs, one will know how to effectively react to the student in a way that benefits the student.

            For all of these concepts and principles to hold value and effect in the classroom, the classroom must be an effective learning environment.  The classroom must be set up for the comfort of the student as well as their success.  I believe a structured and disciplined, yet friendly environment is the most effective classroom set-up where the attention and focus is on academics and the locus of control is centered around the teacher.

            Learning about educational psychology has helped me prepare myself for when I have my own classroom.  I feel that what principles I have previously mentioned will make a positive impact on my future students and classrooms when applied.  Most importantly, I learned that students should be educated based on their individual needs according to their learning successes.  I understand that the classroom curricula should be based on student’s expected abilities, but also room for alterations dependent on the student.  I believe that I will be successful in creating a successful and challenging classroom in the future because of these above mentioned theories and their applications to the education field and educational environment.

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