Introduction: Activities that illuminate the psychological underpinnings of privilege and oppression are an important part of social justice pedagogy. Statement of Problem: There are numerous issues with current simulations of privilege and oppression that leave social justice educators limited in the choice of activity. Literature Review:…

Introduction: Undergraduate psychology programs offer opportunities for the development of knowledge and specialized skills in order to equip students to work with diverse populations. Statement of the Problem: It is crucial for psychology clinicians and other human service providers to understand and be responsive to the scope of cultural…

Taking an ethical approach to using nonhuman animals in teaching requires assessment of the learning benefits of using animals and how these compare to the benefits of alternative teaching practices. It is also important to consider whether students have ethical reservations about completing exercises with animals. We compared upper level…

This study employed a quasi-experimental design to test the effects of three pedagogies on learning outcomes in a simulated psychology of gender lecture. Results showed that meaning and relational pedagogies, as well as a combination of meaning, relational, and explanatory pedagogies, significantly improved participant learning beyond self-study…

The online virtual world Second Life (www.secondlife.com) has multiple potential uses in teaching. In Second Life (SL), users create avatars that represent them in the virtual world. Within SL, avatars can interact with each other and with objects and environments. SL offers tremendous creative potential in that users can create content within the…

We examined whether using virtual reality (VR) technology to provide students with direct exposure to evidence-based psychological treatment approaches would enhance their understanding of and appreciation for such treatments. Students enrolled in an abnormal psychology course participated in a VR session designed to help clients overcome the fear…

Describes a simulation game reinforcing students' understanding of the four elements of behavior modification: measurement, intervention, evaluation, and maintenance. (CK)

Describes activity in which student in abnormal psychology and psychology of exceptional children classes personally experience being judged abnormal. The experience allows the students to remember relevant research, become sensitized to the feelings of individuals classified as deviant, and use caution in classifying individuals as abnormal.…

Performances of two sections of a college-level experimental psychology course were compared. Each class worked on a computer simulation and an independent experiment, but in reverse order. There are benefits from both methods. If both are to be used in a given course, the simulation experience probably should be given first. (DB)

Describes a conceptual framework for training college-level instructors of psychology in teaching skills. Discusses five basic processes: (1) informing; (2) modeling; (3) experiencing; (4) discussing; and (5) feedback. (Author/CK)

We investigated the benefits of using a virtual laboratory, Sniffy Lite CD-ROM (Alloway, Wilson, Graham, & Krames, 2000), as a supplemental teaching tool to present schedules of reinforcement in operant conditioning. Our results suggest that using the virtual laboratory significantly enhanced understanding. Students who used the virtual laboratory…

Five ways the computer can be used in psychology courses to teach thinking are described: using the computer to replace things that already work (e.g., a tachistoscope); programing the computer; simulating specialized procedures and situations; providing behavior to be observed and described; and posing problems for analysis and solution. (RM)

Describes a teaching method in which undergraduate psychology students carry out simulated research studies. In response to model problem situations, students develop a research design and then are given data which might have been obtained if the design were carried out. The condensed experience clarifies aspects of the research process which…

Describes a college-level psychology course based on using simulation techniques to teach graduate students about child development. Topics discussed include course description, objectives, activities, evaluation methods, and a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the simulation approach. (Author/DB)

Reports on the use of PlayDoh clay in a college neuroanatomy class. Describes how students constructed a PlayDoh model of a sheep's brain subsequent to performing a standard dissection procedure. Maintains that students learned from the procedure and recommended the use of the technique in future classes. (CFR)