For a class project students in an industrial/organizational psychology course had to construct a performance appraisal instrument for assessing the instructor's performance. Evaluations revealed that students found the exercise useful. (RM)

Many diversity courses in psychology originally aimed to reduce student racial bias and raise their awareness of racism. However, quantitative data testing the effectiveness of such courses are lacking. This study assessed a required diversity course's effectiveness in raising awareness of White privilege and racism; increasing support for…

Provides a point-by-point response to the questions raised in Pasnak's review (S0 515 248). Attention is called to design and measurement issues for future research. (Author/JDH)

Comparison of evaluation method and results of ten introductory psychology textbooks. They were evaluated according to both Flesch formulas and student opinions on both readability and interest levels. (ND)

Describes study to determine if the Endeavor Instructional Rating Form (EIRF) and the Purdue Instructor and Course Appraisal: CAFETERIA System can be used in a course that employs an innovative instructional model. Results indicate that both instruments are effective for course and instructor evaluation. (Author/KC)

Utilizes the Psychology As Science (PAS) questionnaire to examine student's perceptions. PAS consists of a series of statements about Psychology followed by a strongly agree/disagree option. Reveals an overwhelming acceptance of psychology as a science among students. Includes a statistical breakdown of PAS statements and suggestions for future…

An objective index-based textbook evaluation method that can be reliably applied to large collections of introductory textbooks is described. The method was designed to help teachers reduce the pool of available introductory texts to a manageable number for more in-depth treatments. Dimensions assessed were key concepts and major theorists…

Describes a study which synthesized findings from 16 research reports on the relationship of student course ratings to student achievement. Analysis of the findings supports the validity of student ratings as a measure of teaching effectiveness in psychology courses. (AM)

Presents a case study of one college level psychology instructor's (the author's) teaching evaluations over a 20 year period. He discusses how his teaching has been affected by the evaluation process and how he has been able to use teaching evaluations in the academic review process. (RM)

Describes a study to assess the relationship of student ratings of psychology instruction to their measured acquisition of knowledge and to their subsequent enrollment in psychology courses. Results indicate that students in higher achieving psychology courses rate their instructors higher and tend to enroll in further psychology courses.…

Discusses the relationship between psychological ethics and the teaching of psychology. Reviews the manner in which ethics is presented in college psychology instruction through textbooks and specific ethics courses. Analyzes ethical psychology instruction principles set forth by the American Psychological Association and how these principles…

Reports an investigation of the applicability of social validation procedures to student ratings of college teaching. Results indicated a significant correlation between a conventional measure of teaching effectiveness and the socially valid criterion instrument constructed entirely from students' ideas. (Author/JDH)

A college level introductory psychology course taught in conjunction with introductory biology and philosophy is described. This triad arrangement allows for an interdisciplinary treatment of various issues without diluting the presentation of content specific to the individual disciplines. Information on evaluation of the course is also…

This study extended the work of White and Dunlap (1999) by quantifying faculty views regarding the relative effects performance and effort should have on final grades and by comparing faculty views with student views to assess their similarity. Survey results of 159 students and 59 faculty indicated that students believed effort should influence…

We describe a program for involving undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) in many types of psychology courses, as well as a 1-credit seminar for preparation of UTAs. The program, widely used by both faculty and students, has matured over a 10-year period. The seminar covers such topics as course organization, evaluation procedures, and…