To increase student competence in writing and other basic skills in undergraduate psychology courses, several psychology instructors devised a approach for integrating writing into existing psychology courses. Suggested writing activities include asking students to write down their ideas during class discussion and write summaries of readings and…

Low-level content and cheating are two problems that are serious threats to the personalized system of instruction (PSI). The use of behavioral objectives can reduce book-boundness and consequently raise the level of course content. To prevent cheating in PSI courses, rigorous checks on proctor grading must be built into courses. (RM)

Asserts the necessity of studying the history of psychology in order to understand the fundamental assumptions around which the discipline is organized. In relation to the aims of university education, the author notes the necessity for the student to learn about the nature of knowledge and the human race through what has been said, thought, and…

Suggests several approaches to stimulate personal involvement of students in an undergraduate personality (psychology) course. Approaches include complementing book learning with experience, teaching relevant subjects, and minimizing student feelings of risk by providing them ample feedback. (Author/DB)

Relates current social, political, and educational trends to specific changes in undergraduate psychology courses and the attitudes about these changes. Relates these changes to the increasing availability of self-help, such as counseling services, self-help literature, psychology textbooks which stress the personal application of psychology and…

Describes a college level educational psychology course, which aimed at increasing student interest. Objectives were to: (1) deemphasize laboratory research on animals; (2) focus on the nature of individuals rather than group effects; (3) emphasize teaching; and (4) team teach educational psychology as part of the teacher education curriculum.…

Discusses a study undertaken by faculty members in a university psychology department to help students bridge what is learned in psychology courses with possible job requirements. The study defined the environment of the psychology major, identified marketable skills learned in various psychology courses, matched specific skills and job…

Undergraduate psychology research conferences held at the regional levels provide students with opportunities to present their own work and learn about the work of others. Students' convention experiences would be enhanced if all convention presenters provided full abstracts or manuscripts of their work. (Author/RM)

Describes the educators' problems in communicating psychology's value and relevance to students in introductory courses. Course and texts must be improved in order to increase student understanding of the practical consequences of psychological principles. The author suggests changes in course and textbook content to increase student cognitive…

Sixty-five percent of the 499 U.S. colleges and universities surveyed have a practicum program. Age, size, and purpose of the programs, faculty issues (e.g., supervision, liability insurance), and student issues (e.g., course selection, grading) are discussed. If practicum is to survive, it must assume a more formal academic structure. (RM)