Innovations in the Teaching of Psychology Ed Morris, Sally Kuhlenschmidt, Katrina Phelps, Nov 9, 2007 Kentucky Psychological Association Louisville, KY

Agenda Introduction – Sally Kuhlenschmidt Specific Technology Examples – Ed Morris Service Learning – Katrina Phelps

Quick Survey Online teaching? YouTube? MySpace or Facebook? Own iPOD or mp3 player? Second Life? Active Learning? PBL? Coop Learning? Learning Community? Service Learning?

Matching Task From Kentucky Psychology Department websites –Our messages to prospective students about our teaching. –Your conclusions?

“Innovation” Merriam-Webster print: The introduction of something new; a new method, idea, or device. Wikipedia (horrors!): 6 definitions including lengthy discussion with commentary by outside reviewers.

Visual Thesaurus

Some Types of Innovation 1.Changes in the nature of our roles, –e.g., accountability, disaggregation 2.Changes in the form of our teaching –e.g., tech tools, Internet courses 3.Changes in the function of our teaching, –e.g., Active learning methods, such as Service Learning

Changes in the nature of our roles Accountability Movement –Learner-centered institutions –For teachers – externally defined –Student ratings Emphasis: Instructional Alignment –Objectives, Activities and Assessments align. –A language of college teaching.

Professionalization of role Preparing Future Faculty –Over 60 Centers in US for GTA prep. (e.g., UK). Certification to teach at college level (e.g., WKU for CC). Ex. Online Course on Becoming a Teacher of Statistics –U Minnesota,

External peer review of course design –Morehead, UL, WKU –Like research article peer review Currently rubric for online classes, preparing hybrid First courses in Kentucky to be reviewed –CIS 101, then Psy 361.

Consequences Higher standards Measurability of teaching choices A 2 nd discipline “college teaching” is added to your role. –Language, body of knowledge –Course of Study w/life long updates –Research methodology –Social contract to be accountable

Changes in the form of our teaching The Internet… Introduces Competition to Educational Institutions. –“Regional” claims are not safe. –Online teaching – exponential growth…. and measurable… and accessible.

Form: Connectivity… Online classes. - Youtube - cell phones –information is volatile, networked, collective. Undermines claims to expertise –Ex., “We are Smarter Than Me” book.  Flattens the power curve.

Disaggregation “Traditional” teacher is now a “Content Expert” vs “Expert” –And students cross-check you against the Internet. Disaggregates “traditional” faculty role.

Internet cont. Teaching is now public –Online especially—leaves record –f2f too—because people talk online. Legal issues –Accessibility; FERPA, intellectual property.

Consequences On average, learn to teach on- line Evaluate technology for impact on learning. Keep an eye on tech that connects. Consider legal issues.

Re-define Role in Cyberspace Analysis, or problem-solving Sorter/filter of information. Teaching isn’t about lecturing. It’s about…

Changes in the function of our teaching, Critical Thinking (how to measure?) “Constructivism” –Emphasis on student participation, discovery. –Social context for learning: Service, Cooperative, Collaborative, & Problem-Based Learning; Learning Communities

Competition for Attention Games, e.g., Quandary – quandary.php –Ex: diagnosis: – hmidt/psy440/diagnosis/ –Ex: Should I learn this technology? – cadAffairs/CTL/online/usetech.htm

Shift from bell-shaped curve to networks Social Network sites like MySpace and Facebook –Students present projects to the world. Collaboration in products –Wikis, Blogs, Google Documents

Sort/Choose Information Social bookmarking –Del.icio.us – share, annotate bookmarks. Google Custom Search Engine – facdev.html – ed.html

Consequences Teacher as Facilitator or “Guide on the side.” Measurement challenge. Information is cheap, available, annoying. –To what end? For what purpose? –(Instructional alignment again)

Summary Changes in faculty role Changes in form of teaching – online. Changes in style or function of teaching. Innovations clash or complement. Choose based on your objectives.

Next: Ed – specific examples of cutting edge technologies. Katrina—example of innovative instructional method.