Repost of Great Hanover Site on Sensation and Perception

When I began teaching this topic, I was scared because I had no idea what I was doing. I'd never had an S&P course in college and this seemed a little daunting. Over the years, with a lot of hard work, some research, and some wonderful internet sites, I learned and learned.

Today, I'd like to share and highlight the work of John H. Krantz of Hanover College in Southern Indiana. For years, he has been at the forefront of taking concepts online in an interactive format for students (and teachers). This site is about sensation and perception and its constituent parts. While I cannot use all the illustrations in an introductory course, there are some great specific ones I can use. Be sure to have the latest Java to help your experience.

Experiencing Sensation and Perception (includes cognition and neuroscience links)

Tutorials in Sensation and Perception

Psychophysics

The Stimulus and Anatomy of the Visual System

Gestalt Laws

There is lots more on this tremendous site. Poke around a bit and see what you can use.

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Brain Games Episode Concepts/Episode Guide

Hi Everyone,

I love Brain Games on the National Geographic Channel.  That said, I have not been able to find a decent episode guide, or any actually.  So I asked my two wonderful TAs, Jai and Karlie, to watch Season Two of Brain Games. TV.com has the names of the episodes, but nothing in detail.
My TAs have compiled a chart to describe what each demonstration is in each of the episodes on Disc 1. The chart is linked here.

My question is this:  Do you find this useful? Should I have them do the rest of the episodes in the series? Please leave a yes or no in the comments, or send me an email at schallhornpsych AT gmail.com.

As always, Brain Games and other resources can be found in our Psych Store.

Thanks and Enjoy.

posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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Music in Psychology Class--A Different Way to Approach Things

Most of us have seen the items on the listservs about lists of music that go with particular units.  Some of us use the music as a transition into class.  Some of use show the lyrics on the board/screen while the students listen to the song, adding observations or comments afterward.  A nice little combination, a free one, can be found on YouTube.com.

The first example here is The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel.  The poster has already printed the lyrics for you/us.  Some concept ideas include schema, the role of individual in society, perception,  states of consciousness, communication, hearing versus listening, and more.


A perennial favorite of my students is the Green Day song, Basketcase.  This song questions the writer's sanity while he is reaching out for help.  Some great psych idea are used including "neurosis," perception/misperception, therapy, dream interpretation, the role of drugs in interpreting reality, and more. 




As with anything from the internet, I would caution that you view everything first prior to sharing it with your students.  While they may be superficially mature and sophisticated, they are still children and we have an obligation to screen and contextualize everything we do with them.  Also, each community has different standards--what may be usable and successful in one class may not work in another school. 

There will be more of these posts coming up with some of my personal favorites.

posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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Psychology Food

In over 30 years of teaching, I've yet to see a psychology lab/demonstration involving food that has failed. Whether it's M&Ms, Starbursts, or Tootsie Rolls, students always seem to like these activities.

While most of the items I have listed below do not have a direct curricular purpose, they are lots of fun and add to the classroom experience. If you have developed a learning activity using the items below or you have additional food ideas to share, please leave a comment.

Watermelon Flavored Sigmund Freud Head Lollipops

Always a great addition to the personality or therapy unit. Occasionally my classes get into a discussion regarding the Freudian interpretation of this candy. For more information or to order the lollipops go to http://www.mcphee.com/items/11771.html

Musk Life Savers

In Australia, musk is considered both a flavor and smell. Use these when discussing taste, adaptation, culture, development, etc. A practical bit of advise; break the life savors up into smaller bits. Most students will spit the life savor out after a few seconds. To order go to http://www.aussieproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NEML20.

Brain Gelatin Mold

For your next lecture on the brain, create your own close to life size brain made from Jello. The mold even gives instructions on how to create a lifelike color for your brain. Image your students eyes when, at the end of your lecture, you start eating your brain model. To order go to
http://bwacky.com/Brain-Gelatin-Mold/M/B000GKW6BU.htm


Neuro-Mart Website

Looking for that special item for Brain Awareness Week? The Neuro-Mart website has a large number of brain-related items many of which include food such as gummy brains, brain lollipops, marshmallow brains, and more. To order go to http://www.neuromart.com

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