Background: Researchers suggest benefits for cooperative learning, but often fail to control for choosing to engage cooperatively, ACT scores or early course performance. Objective: To observe the effects of choosing cooperative work on exam performance in an Introduction to Psychology Course, while controlling for early exam performance and ACT.…

Introduction: Research suggests benefits for incorporating popular press books into courses to encourage critical thinking and student-instructor interactions about concepts. Objective: This article offers a summary and critique of "7 ½ Lessons about the Brain" by Lisa Feldman-Barrett along with pedagogical strategies for integrating the…

This study investigated the influence of team-based learning (TBL) methods on exam performance and student satisfaction in an introductory psychology class. Fifteen instructors teaching 29 sections (with a combined enrollment of approximately 1,130 students) were randomly assigned to use TBL for 7 of 12 major topics or to use lecture. All students…

We developed a two-semester series of intensive (six-contact hours per week) behavioral research methods courses with an integrated statistics curriculum. Our approach includes the use of team-based learning, authentic projects, and Excel and SPSS. We assessed the effectiveness of our approach by examining our students' content area scores on the…

Group projects are often used in psychology courses to prepare students for future collaborative work. However, psychology alumni report that their education did not adequately prepare them for collaborative work. To better understand these perceptions, this study examined how instructor contributions (involvement and evaluation techniques)…

Teaching researchers commonly employ group-based collaborative learning approaches in Teaching of Psychology teaching activities. However, the authors know relatively little about the effectiveness of group-based activities in relation to known psychological processes associated with group dynamics. Therefore, the authors conducted a meta-analytic…

In this study, I examined the effectiveness of a group exam review activity on students' long-term retention of concepts and satisfaction. As part of a formative summative assessment activity (FSA; Wininger, 2005), students worked either individually or collaboratively on an exam review activity in the class periods following the 2 unit exams.…

We designed a cooperative learning classroom activity to enhance students' ability to understand psychological disorders and distinguish among anxiety, mood, and psychotic disorders. We employed a group interviewing approach with the instructor (or a graduate student) serving as the pseudo-client. Students interacted with a pseudo-client to arrive…

Describes a college-level course in health psychology. Recommends a course divided between lectures and a class-designed research project. Reports that course evaluations by the students indicated that the students enjoyed the course design and assignments. (CFR)

Describes a college psychology course titled "The Power of Myth," which is interdisciplinary and uses collaborative learning techniques. Maintains that students reported increased curiosity about the world and improved abilities to work in groups. (CFR)

Describes a create-a-children's game assignment for a college-developmental psychology course. Discusses instructions for the project, provides examples of student games, and reports student evaluation. Contends that the assignment produces a high level of student engagement and accomplishment. (CFR)

Describes the creation of a computer-assisted course in introductory psychology. Discusses cost, availability, and requirements for hardware and software development. Provides a guide for teachers interested in developing such a course. Discusses student projects, a homework checker, exercises, and examinations. Argues that the technology frees…

Presents an interview with Wilbert J. McKeachie who is a professor in the Department of Psychology and a Research Scientist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Discusses topics that include, but are not limited to, student-centered teaching, issues current researchers need to address, and the role of technology in teaching. (CMK)

Reports on a study of peer teaching through small group instruction in a college level psychology program. Describes how upper level undergraduate students designed, implemented, and evaluated projects to teach psychology to introductory students. Finds that both the introductory and advanced students enjoyed the experience and recommended that…

Discusses writing techniques and assessment methods used in an interdisciplinary writing course. Recommends freewriting, small-group writing assignments, and peer tutoring. Supports assessment by more than one faculty evaluator, peer feedback, and optional versus mandatory rewriting. (CFR)