M Ed - ed-psych Product 5

M. Ed. in Educational Psychology

MD620 Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychology

Course Unit code:	MD 620
Title:	Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychology
Credit Rating:	20
Level:	M
Delivery:	Semester 2
Tutor/s:	Neil Humphrey and invited neuropsychologists

Aims:

This course unit has been designed as a core unit for the M Ed in Educational Psychology programme.

	To investigate the biological and cognitive bases of behaviour in children with developmental disorders
	To introduce students to a range of developmental disorders that may affect a child’s educational attainment
	To give students the opportunity to carry out an in-depth study of one developmental disorder and to produce an information pack suitable for distribution to parents and/or teachers

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:

	Critically discuss and evaluate current literature in the area of developmental cognitive neuropsychology
	Demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge, a critical awareness of current problems, and new insights informed by teaching and research that will allow them to produce information suitable for a specific target audience
	Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and inquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge

Key skills

	IT skills:- Accessing electronic databases, Accessing library facilities, word processing
	Critical evaluation
	Analysis and synthesis of arguments based on current literature
	Written communication:- Written presentation for a specific target audience
	Problem solving:- Research in depth one topic Interpretation of information
	Flexibility and adaptability:- pre-empting and leading change
	Interpersonal skills:- empathy and demonstrating tact and diplomacy in dealing with challenging individuals
	Initiative:- ability to work with minimum supervision

Content:

Developmental cognitive neuropsychology:- modularity, plasticity, individual differences, case studies

Normal and disordered or delayed development of memory, attention, perception, executive function, language and their impact on academic development

Cognitive models

Teaching and learning methods:

This course unit will be delivered by a variety of methods including didactic teaching, seminars, library research, case study investigation. Learning will be achieved through active participation in discussion, literature search and evaluation and written presentation of case study findings in a form suitable for distribution to teachers and/or parents

Learning hours

Activity	Hours allocated
Staff/student contact	30
Private study	50
Research	20
Directed reading	50
Preparation of information pack	50
Total hours	200

Assessment

Assessment activity	Length required	Weighting within unit
A parent/teacher information booklet on a chosen developmental cognitive neuropsychological disorder	1500	50%
A critical evaluation of the literature involved in researching for the booklet	2500	50%

Core texts

Books

Anderson, V, Northam, E, Hendy, J & Wrennall, J (2001) Developmental Neuropsychology. London: Psychology Press

Code, C (1997) Classic cases in neuropsychology. London: Psychology Press

Friedes, D. (2001) Developmental Disorders: A Neuropsychological Approach, London, Blackwell, 1557865795

Murdoch, B (1997) Acquired neurological speech/language disorders in childhood London: Psychology Press

Temple, C (1997) Developmental cognitive neuropsychology London: psychology Press

Journals

Brain and cognition

Cognitive neuropsychology

Communication disorders

Cortex

Developmental psychology

Dyslexia

Journal of experimental psychology: learning, memory and behaviour

This list is not exhaustive. The library should be visited at least once a week and current journal reading should be considered part of your learning experience.

MD 620

Total hours

Assessment activity

Send mail to neil.humphrey@man.ac.uk with questions or comments about this programme. Last modified: September 8, 2003

Send mail to neil.humphrey@man.ac.uk with questions or comments about this programme.
Last modified: September 8, 2003