Surmounting the 1st Year with Instructional Technology

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Surmounting the 1st Year with Instructional
Technology

• Connie Varnhagen

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Goals for Introductory Psychology

• Expose students to different perspectives in
  psychology
• Help students begin to think like psychologists
• Motivate students to continue in psychology
• Develop a sense of community among the students

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Realities of Introductory Psychology

• Students attend mega-lectures
• Students perceive the class to consist of
• A talking head
• Text
• Multiple choice exams
• Students perceive minimal opportunities for
  exploration
• Students experience deindividuation

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Internet Technology Options

• Interactive modules for exploration
• Asynchronous discussion forums
• Flexible access
• Information access

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Successes

• Students are exposed to different perspectives in
  psychology
• Students begin to discuss like psychologists
• Students are motivated
• Students develop a strong sense of community

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Continuing Challenges

• Giving up control
• Virtual office hours
• Helping students develop critical thinking skills
• (Re)Conceptualizing goals and methods of post
  secondary education