Sometimes toward the end of the year, I had time in my AP and non-AP psych classes to dive into some topics we didn't talk much about during the "march" through the curriculum. If you're in the same boat and hive time for some "enrichment" stuff, Human Factors research might be a great topic. Resources listed below.- A pretty good, short summary of the research goals of human factors psychology: http://psychology.about.com/od/branchesofpsycholog1/f/human-factors.htm
- The Human Factors and Egonomics site provides links to recent research, etc. https://www.hfes.org/web/Default.aspx
- Ronald Shapiro has been working for quite a while to design learning activities appropriate to all ages that incorporate human factors research: http://humanfactorsblog.org/2011/01/28/profiles-in-human-factors-dr-ron-shapiro/
- Scott Miller (hi Scott! Thanks again!) sent me this summary of research on cereal box design/positioning that might be a good introduction into human factors research/methodology. This site describes a study that showed positioning of a cereal box and cover design significantly influences "brand trust"
http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/op/cerealeyes?_ga=1.68649106.2002578492.1396027564
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posted by Rob McEntarffer
Rob,
ReplyDeleteThank you for recommending the Human Factors topic.
Don Norman's Psychology of Everyday Things (also titled The Design of Everyday Things) would be an interesting reading assignment. Book can be read in a few hours.
Also, thank you for mentioning me. If I can be of help to teachers I'd be pleased to speak on the phone and/or bring one of my programs such as Games to Explain Human Factors: Come, Participate, Learn & Have Fun!!! or Using Psychology Games and Activities of Yesteryear to Prepare For Our Future to their classroom.
Ron