ABSTRACT

The Teaching of Psychology is centered around the masterful work of two champions of the teaching of psychology, Wilbert J. McKeachie and Charles L. Brewer, in order to recognize their seminal contributions to the teaching of the discipline. The book's main goal is to provide comprehensive coverage and analysis of the basic philosophies, current issues, and the basic skills related to effective teaching in psychology. It transcends the typical "nuts and bolts" type books and includes such topics as teaching at small colleges versus a major university, teaching and course portfolios, the scholarship of teaching, what to expect early in a teaching career, and lifelong learning.

The Teaching of Psychology also features:

  • Biographies of Bill McKeachie and Charles L. Brewer
  • Fourteen chapters written by leading authorities in the teaching of psychology, which provide overviews of the latest psychological research and theories in effective college and university teaching. These chapters cover lecturing, classroom presence, using humor in teaching, pedagogy, advising, teaching critical thinking, writing, and technology, and training graduate students to teach
  • Useful advice to new teachers and seasoned veterans, including qualities of master teachers, understanding the many facets of working within the academy, and teaching with technology
  • Insights into teaching specific courses within the psychology curriculum, including the history of psychology, biological psychology, statistics and research methods, learning, social psychology, personality, psychology of women, cross-cultural psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, psychology of religion, and environmental psychology
  • A closing section containing Bill McKeachie's and Charles L. Brewer's perspectives into the teaching of psychology and its history, highlights, and future.

This book is intended for academic psychologists who teach and/or train graduate assistants to teach at the college and university level. All royalities from this book will be donated to the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (Division 2 of the American Psychological Association), which each year sponsors many activities across the country to promote the teaching of psychology.

part I|24 pages

Portraits of Excellence

chapter 1|11 pages

More Than Just Luck

A Brief Biography of Wilbert J. McKeachie

chapter 2|10 pages

“I Can't Ever Remember not Wanting to be a Teacher”

A Brief Biography of Charles L. Brewer

part II|126 pages

Essential Qualities and Skills of Effective Teachers

chapter 4|15 pages

Classroom Presence

chapter 5|11 pages

Lecturing

chapter 6|12 pages

Humor and College Teaching

chapter 7|9 pages

Process/Pedagogy

chapter 8|15 pages

Teaching for Critical Thinking

A Four-Part Model to Enhance Thinking Skills

chapter 9|14 pages

Writing

Models, Examples, Teaching Advice, and a Heartfelt Plea

part III|130 pages

Teaching Within the Context of Modern Academic Life

chapter 16|11 pages

Beyond Tenure

The Teaching Portfolio for Reflection and Change

chapter 18|15 pages

Teaching at a Liberal Arts College

With a Little Help From My Friends

chapter 20|12 pages

Lessons From Life

A Journey in Lifelong Learning

chapter 21|10 pages

Promoting the Teaching of Psychology

A History of NITOP

part IV|65 pages

Teaching With Technology

chapter 22|11 pages

Wiring the Introductory Psychology Course

How Should We Harness the Internet?

chapter 23|11 pages

Web-Based Resources

chapter 24|15 pages

Technology in the Classroom

Traditions in Psychology

part V|137 pages

Teaching About Psychology's Domains

chapter 30|15 pages

Teaching the Learning Course

Philosophy and Methods

chapter 31|10 pages

Using Social Psychology to Teach Social Psychology

How the Field Informs the Course

chapter 33|14 pages

Opening Students' Eyes and Minds

Teaching the Psychology of Women

chapter 36|12 pages

Psychology of Religion

Then and Now

chapter 37|13 pages

Environmental Psychology

Cognition, Affect, and Meaningful Action

part VI|23 pages

The Final Word

chapter 39|9 pages

Reflections on an Academic Career

From Which Side of the Looking Glass?