Educational Psychology Promotes Teaching and Learning

Educational Psychology Promotes Teaching and Learning
Psychologists working in the field of education study how people learn and retain knowledge. They apply psychological science to improve the learning process and promote educational success for all students.
Understanding Educational Psychology


Today’s educational system is highly complex. There is no single learning approach that works for everyone.

That’s why psychologists working in the field of education are focused on identifying and studying learning methods to better understand how people absorb and retain new information.

Educational psychologists apply theories of human development to understand individual learning and inform the instructional process. While interaction with teachers and students in school settings is an important part of their work, it isn’t the only facet of the job. Learning is a lifelong endeavor. People don’t only learn at school, they learn at work, in social situations and even doing simple tasks like household chores or running errands. Psychologists working in this subfield examine how people learn in a variety of settings to identify approaches and strategies to make learning more effective







Educational Psychology Promotes Teaching and Learning
Psychologists working in the field of education study how people learn and retain knowledge. They apply psychological science to improve the learning process and promote educational success for all students.
Understanding Educational Psychology


Today’s educational system is highly complex. There is no single learning approach that works for everyone.

That’s why psychologists working in the field of education are focused on identifying and studying learning methods to better understand how people absorb and retain new information.

Educational psychologists apply theories of human development to understand individual learning and inform the instructional process. While interaction with teachers and students in school settings is an important part of their work, it isn’t the only facet of the job. Learning is a lifelong endeavor. People don’t only learn at school, they learn at work, in social situations and even doing simple tasks like household chores or running errands. Psychologists working in this subfield examine how people learn in a variety of settings to identify approaches and strategies to make learning more effective.
Research in Action


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Educational Psychology Applied


Psychologists working in education study the social, emotional and cognitive processes involved in learning and apply their findings to improve the learning process. Some specialize in the educational development of a specific group of people such as children, adolescents or adults, while others focus on specific learning challenges such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or dyslexia.

No matter the population they are studying, these professionals are interested in teaching methods, the instructional process and different learning outcomes.

How much does the time of day when new information is introduced influence whether a person retains that information? What does culture have to do with how we process new ideas? How does age affect our ability to develop new skills, like language? How is in-person learning different from remote learning using technology? How does the choice of a media platform make a difference in learning?

These are all questions that educational psychologists are asking — and answering — in settings as diverse as government research centers, schools, community organizations and learning centers.







A Career in Teaching and Learning Psychology
The psychology of teaching and learning helps us understand the social, emotional and cognitive processes that constitute learning throughout the lifespan.
All About Teaching and Learning


In studying how people learn, psychologists have found we don’t all do it the same way. Some children may need to hear the ABC song to remember the order of the alphabet, while others need to see the letters written out. Even as we age, some of us will learn better by seeing, while others learn through doing.

Teaching and learning psychologists dissect these differences, studying not only how people learn, but how they retain and remember new information.

The learning process is also affected by the learning, family and social environment, genetic inheritance and rate of development. These factors translate into variations in intelligence, creativity, cognitive style, motivation and the capacity to process information, communicate and relate to others.

Teaching and learning psychologists develop and apply theories of human development to understand individual learning styles and inform the instructional process. They work with people who are gifted and people who have learning disabilities. Their skills are critical as schools work harder to ensure academic success.
What You Can Do


Many teaching and learning psychologists conduct research that is relevant to education. They may look at how well people learn in certain settings with certain types of instructions and certain types of instructors. This research helps develop improved teaching techniques that can bolster student outcomes and school performance.

Teaching and learning psychologists also evaluate and analyze teaching methods, testing them in schools, community organizations and learning centers. With their training in educational psychology, these psychologists can pinpoint flaws or problems that may make it difficult for some people to learn. Such problems can range from the pace of instruction to textbook organization.

Teaching and learning psychologists may also take the same psychological principles and apply them to government, industry and the private sector. Since people never stop learning, psychologists can use their scientific research to help students of all ages learn new skills in varied environments.
Making It Happen


With a four-year bachelor’s degree, a person seeking a career in educational psychology or teaching and learning psychology often begins with a position that becomes a pathway job to more education and a job with more responsibility.

A master’s in educational psychology (MEd) is the next step for many.

A doctorate in educational psychology or school psychology opens the door to more career possibilities, including positions at universities or with the government. This degree usually requires a four- to six-year commitment.

Educational and teaching and learning psychologists are typically employed in such settings as schools or testing companies. Many work in universities training future teachers and other school personnel.
What You Can Earn


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teaching and learning psychologists earned a median annual salary of $72,540 in 2010. Those who worked in elementary school settings earned a median annual salary of $71,070, while those in individual and family services earned a median of $69,540.
Helpful Resources


Educational Psychology
For more information about the role of psychologists in education visit APA’s Division of Educational Psychology website.

APA Educational Psychology Handbook
The APA Educational Psychology Handbook provides a close examination of the research driving decision-making, teaching skills and content, teacher preparation and the promotion of learning across the lifespan.