Highlighting the importance of precision in recording, analyzing, and interpreting data in experimental psychology courses, the author proposes that students be assigned grades of A or F for the results section of laboratory reports. Papers receiving F's could be resubmitted for reduced grades until they are free of errors. (GEA)

Investigates student's opinions of what they believe is valuable for the first class meeting of a course. Reports that a good first class meeting includes a well-organized, focused presentation containing basic course information including requirements, expectations, and information on examinations and assignments. Expounds that faculty should…

Describes the demonstration of DYASIM, a program that performs various statistical computations to assess the degree of similarity of dyadic data, in classroom settings to illustrate the conceptual difficulties associated with measuring dyadic similarity. Presents the demonstration within the context of the similarity-complimentarity debate on…

Focuses on the benefits and effectiveness of using a dual-gender team-teaching approach in a human sexuality course focused on issues related to creating a comfortable learning environment. Addresses the student perceptions of the course. Finds that the approach is advantageous to both students and instructors. (CMK)

Describes a project that evaluated the academic effectiveness of 2-way interactive video as a means for delivering class lectures in an introductory psychology course. Finds that the students at the campus studio and remote site all achieved the same academically and expressed positive attitudes about the course. (CMK)

Describes a service-learning project for an introductory psychology course. Addresses the students' feedback about the service-learning project as measured by a 20-item evaluation form. Provides recommendations about the project ranging from logistics to student and faculty concerns. Includes example discussion questions. (CMK)

Presents a comparative analysis of 15 brief introductory psychology textbooks for teachers who want a leaner introductory text. Focuses on length, pedagogical aids, and topic coverage. States that there is enough variability among the texts to accommodate teachers' preferences and needs. Includes a bibliography of the textbooks. (CMK)

Examines 17 undergraduate cognitive psychology textbooks published in the United States with copyright dates between 1995 and 1999. Intends to facilitate textbook selection through a comparison of text length, reference citations, content, pedagogy, and illustrative material. Reveals that the textbooks diverge on topical emphasis. Includes an…

Describes a psychology program to involve undergraduate students in community child care centers. Assessment of student performance indicated that students achieved skill in observation and evaluation techniques but did not develop adequate objectivity. (Author/DB)

Study indicates that certain personality characteristics are associated with higher instructor-student evaluations. Generally, the extraverted teacher receives higher ratings in many content areas. There was no support for the prediction that the student evalution of an instructor would be more positive if the personalities of both were similar.…

A course for teaching an advanced undergraduate course on the psychology of adult development and aging is described and evaluated. Course goals, content, and format are discussed. Students generally viewed the course favorably. (RM)

Discusses a study undertaken to clarify the effort-to-performance relationship within the context of a psychology classroom on the college level. Emphasis was placed on the relationship of academic effort performance and student grade associations. Findings indicated that, contrary to the hypothesis and prior research findings, effort was…

Presents a study that reviewed introductory psychology textbooks to examine the perception of extensive similarity. Focuses on six dimensions: (1) chapter topics, organization, and extent of topic coverage; (2) core concepts and key terms; (3) pedagogical aids and data graphs; (4) critical-thinking programs; (5) reference citations; and (6) level…

Suggests specific approaches to critiquing A student's paper motivates THE student to produce better papers and to improve writing skills. Warns against overemphasis on the mechanics of writing, and points out steps the instructor may follow to involve students in the editing process. (NL)

Considers the treatment of family causation of schizophrenia in undergraduate abnormal psychology textbooks. Reviews texts published only after 1986. Points out a number of implications for psychologists which arise from the inclusion in these texts of the idea that parents cause schizophrenia, not the least of which is the potential for…