This article discusses how assessment tools can be used to improve student learning in undergraduate bachelors (BA/BS) in psychology programs. The article first reviews particular advantages associated with using curricular and cocurricular maps for performing systematic program assessment. After identifying various assessment tools created by the…

Interdisciplinary pedagogy can enhance Introduction to Psychology curricula. We developed an interdisciplinary project to make meaning in a learning community (LC) clustering Introduction to Psychology with Introduction to Criminal Justice. Our purpose is to describe the project as a model and report on students' evaluations of the project and…

The pedagogical value of capstones has been regularly discussed within psychology. This study presents results from an examination of a national random sample of department webpages and an online survey that characterized the typical capstone course in terms of classroom activities and course administration. The department webpages provide an…

Under faculty supervision, a college student enrolled in a "Sensation and Perception" course constructed a light box, which generated some surprising and interesting color effects. (RM)

Suggests that, although innovative strategies can enchance a history of psychology course, the key is the instructor's enthusiasm. Describes a college level course in terms of objectives, readings, and visual aids. A major part is an independent research paper consisting of: (1) the historical development of an idea, (2) two biographical sketches…

Describes a university class project designed to enable students to translate environmental research into action. Students focused on a conflict between state and county government over solid waste management. Outlines steps involved in such a project and discusses student involvement and the success of the project. (KC)

One difficulty in teaching service courses such as psychology of adolescence is maintaining the interest of nonmajors without sacrificing course-relevant content. Described is a project that overcomes this problem by requiring students to observe some type of media (e.g., television) and determine the extent to which particular themes occur.…

College psychology students were required to make contact with an organization and obtain permission to conduct a job satisfaction survey with its employees, develop questionnaires, collect data, and compile an "Executive Summary" which was given to the organization and then presented in class. (RM)

Describes an educational psychology course which incorporates students' requests for competency requirements, self pacing, grading based on a combination of criterion- and norm-referenced measures, flexible class format, and field experience within educational environments. (Author/AV)

Two courses were combined experimentally and succeeded in providing college students with in-depth learning about creativity: a psychology course explored psychologists' efforts to understand creativity and encouraged student self-exploration, and an art course focused on creativity as a way of living. Group projects and evaluation are discussed.…

Details a course for teaching ethics to undergraduates. Argues that participation in service-learning experiences teaches students about moral philosophy and ethical principles for psychologists, and helps them become more sensitive to complex ethical dilemmas involved in psychology and related fields. Reports that students' course evaluations are…

The portfolio writing assignment given to students in a life span developmental psychology course required that they complete 10-15 typewritten pages of writing for the course. Students were allowed to choose their own projects; for example, they might write about an interview they had conducted, or discuss an outside reading. (RM)

Weekly projects designed for an introductory psychology telecourse encourage student involvement in psychology. Each project consists of a set of instructions for a psychological study using family, friends, and other telecourse students as subjects, discussion partners, or coresearchers. All collaboration is done over the telephone. Examples of…

Describes and evaluates a university psychology course which provides an academic and personal look at drinking and problem drinking. The structure of the course encompasses three phases: lecture, seminar, and student presentation. (Author/KC)

Contends that the study of the psychology of humor integrates areas such as child development stereotyping and creativity. Describes an undergraduate college-level course in which students apply psychological theories of humor to understand both popular humor and experiences in everyday life. (CFR)