AP Psychology Summer Institutes (APSI)

As our thoughts turn from preparing for the AP Psychology Exam to the end of the school year, many teachers start thinking about AP Summer Institutes (APSI). These week long adventures designed for both the beginning and seasoned AP teacher, provide valuable insights into the teaching of any AP Psychology course. I've heard many a teacher say the APSI is probably the one best thing that has helped their teaching of AP Psychology with the possible exception of being an AP reader.

This summer, AP Psychology Advanced Placement Summer Institutes (APSI)are offered at over 50 locations throughout the country. Almost all are designed for both experienced and new AP teachers, while a few are exclusively for new teachers. APSI's usually last four or five days and are run by endorsed consultants of the College Board.

I (Kent) have had the good fortune to facilitate AP Psychology Summer Institutes over the past seven years. This year I am scheduled to be in MN, WV, PA and KN. I am always impressed with the professionalism and willingness to share by all the participants. I can confidently say, I always walk away from the weeks with many new ideas for my classes.

To provide a little insight into a typical AP Summer Institutes I facilitate, I have posted a brief overview of the week on my website (http://www.germantownschools.org/faculty/kkorek/Advanced_Placement_Psychology_Summer_Institutes.cfm). Please be aware, every institute varies based on the facilitator, needs of the participants, sponsoring organization's requirements, as well as a host of other factors, but most APSIs contain many of the same basic elements. Other APSI consultants are invited to post comments, information, website links, or other items of interest in the comments section of this posting.

To learn more about summer institutes, go to the Institutes and Workshop section of AP Central at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/Pageflows/InstitutesAndWorkshops/InstitutesAndWorkshopsController.jpf The site includes a search engine where you can find an APSI in your part of the country. You can search by topic, date, and/or location.

Share

Milwaukee Area Teachers of Psychology Meeting - November 9, 2010

Since 1993, Milwaukee area psychology teachers have gathered twice a year to share teaching ideas and develop friendships. Our group has come to be called the "Milwaukee Area Teachers of Psychology" (MATOP). Below you will find an invitation to our next meeting on November 9th. If you live within driving distance of the Milwaukee area, please feel free to attend. If you would like to be included on the MATOP mailing list please contact me at the email address below.

For those of you not within driving distance of Milwaukee, feel free to "check out" our agenda for items you might find useful in your classroom. Whenever possible, I have tried to include email or website addresses for further information. Please contact me with any questions you may have.

Kent

Kent Korek
Germantown High School
W180 N11501 River Lane
Germantown, WI 53022
Phone: 262-253-3400
Fax: 262-253-3494
kkorek@germantown.k12.wi.us
kkorek@germantown.k12.wi.us

Dear Psychology Teacher:

Please consider attending our semi-annual meeting of the Milwaukee Area Teachers of Psychology (MATOP) on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Pius XI High School, 135 N. 76th Street, Milwaukee 53213 in the Library.

Our meeting will include:

■ an inspection of the new Myers’ Psychology for AP supplements courtesy of Eileen Tanania, Bedford, Freeman, & Worth Publishing, (866-843-3715 ex 1714) etanania@bfwpub.com Thanks to Eileen for providing copies of the Teacher’s Edition and Student Study Guide for everyone coming to the meeting. For more information on this text, go to http://www.bfwpub.com/HIGHSCHOOL/newcatalog.aspx?disc=HS&course=Social+Studies&type=AP*+Social+Studies&isbn=1429244364/

■ insights from the 2010 AP Psychology Reading. We anticipate a number of AP Psychology table leaders and readers will be attending our meeting. Come listen to their reflections on Kansas City and the 2010 reading. The FRQs, rubrics, sample responses, etc. can be found at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com

■ a review of the new 19th edition of Psychology and Life by Gerrig and Zimbardo. Everyone attending our meeting will receive an examination copy of this mainstay text through the generosity of Kevin Kuckkan of Pearson School (866-340-3692) kevin.kuckkan@pearson.com To read more about this text, go to http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/product/Psychology-and-Life/9780205685912.paget

■ a report from the October 22nd College Board One-Day Workshop at Grayslake, IL. We would ask anyone who attended this institute, to briefly discuss the events of the day. We’ve been in contact with Mary Spilis, the College Board consultant who coordinated the day at Grayslake, who has agreed to share with us some items from the day.

■ an analysis of the supplements for Psychology: Themes and Variations 8e by Wayne Weiten. Thanks to Katie Golem, Holt McDougal Sales Representative for Advanced & Elective Programs, (800-479-9799 ex. 3870) katie_golem@hmhpub.com for providing us copies of these resources. For more information on Weiten’s text, go to http://holtmcdougal.hmhco.com/hm/detail.htm?ID=1007500000073418

■ a demonstration of the new inversion goggles from www.PsychKits.com. These new goggles, selling for only $25, literally turn the world upside down. One lucky person will leave with a pair of these goggles courtesy of Gerry Palmer palmtree60045@yahoo.com of Psychkits at http://www.psychkits.com

■ an examination of the supplements for the new REGULAR Psychology textbook, Psychology: A Discovery Experience by Stephan Franzoi of Marquette University. These supplements were provided by Mary Sommers of Cengage Learning (608-239-1928) mary.sommers@cengage.com Thanks to Mary for all her help. To find out more about this new text, go to http://www.cengage.com/search/showresultsbysortpage.do?pageSize=10&urlQueryString=Ne%3D2%26N%3D+15+4294922390+4294950661

■ information from the October 22nd CHI-TOPSS meeting at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, IL.

■ a Powerpoint presentation of AP Psychology Exam statistics. The 2011 AP Psychology Exam will be the nineteenth time the exam has been given. Over the course of those years, a number of stats have been generated.

■ a discussion of changes in the AP Psychology Exam. Items include; online retrieval of scores, moving the exam to the first Monday of the cycle, scoring changes with regards to guessing, and more.

■ information on smartphone apps for Quizlet flashcards. A number of different cell phone apps have been developed applicable for Quizlet files. Your students can now study their psychology terms and concepts using their smartphones and iPads, iTouches, etc.

■ and more.

Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no need to RSVP. Please feel free to invite anyone you feel might be interested in coming.

If you have any questions concerning our meeting, please contact Ruth Regent-Smith at Pius H.S. (414-290-7000) rregent@piusxi.org or Kent Korek at Germantown H.S. (262-253-3400) kkorek@germantown.k12.wi.us.

For more information on MATOP go to http://www.germantownschools.org/faculty/kkorek/MATOP_Home_Page.cfm. For directions to Pius go to http://www.piusxi.org/prospective/Transportation.aspx

We look forward to seeing you.

Ruth Regent-Smith
Kent Korek

Share

Midwest Institute for Students and Teachers of Psychology

For the past seventeen years, Pat Pucio and her colleagues at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL have put together one of the best teaching of psychology institutes in the midwest. The Midwest Institute for Students and Teachers of Psychology (MISTOP) has always included some of the top speakers from around the country.

This year's institute, on March 5th and 6th, promises to be just as good as those in the past with the keynote address given by James Kalat of North Carolina State University and author of Introduction of Psychology. Dr Kalat's talk, The Modern Psychology of Consciousness will open two days of poster sessions, concurrent sessions, textbooks distributors and much more.

For more information on this year's MISTOP go to http://www.cod.edu/psychology/mistop/

Share

UTOPSS Fall Iinstitute!

Kristin Whitlock (Psychology teacher extraordinaire) asked us to post this announcement to the blog. Those of us not lucky enough to be close to Utah at the time of this institute will just ahve to be jealous - I got to attend a few years back and it is a WONDERFUL experience for psych. teachers.

Utah-Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (U-TOPSS) Fall Institute
Friday, November 13 2009
University of Utah
Cost: $40.00 (if registration received by 10/30), $50.00 after deadline
Includes materials, continental breakfast, and lunch

Presentations:

• Thinking Like a Psychologist: Teaching About Research (Dr. Barney Beins ITHACA COLLEGE)

• Stereotype Threat: Sometimes Words (and Beliefs) Can Hurt You (and Your Performance) (Dr. Paul H. White UNIVERSITY OF UTAH)
• Eye See: Teaching the Biology of Vision (Dr. Jessica Habashi UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY)
• Participant Idea Share
  

Break Out Sessions:

• Taking the Mystery Out of AP Psychology Test Development
• Introductory Psychology: Questions and Answers

For registration information contact Kristin Whitlock (kwhitlock@dsdmail.net)

Share

Advanced Placement Summer Institutes (APSI)

As our thoughts of preparing for the AP Psychology Exam turn to the end of the school year, many teachers start thinking about AP Summer Institutes (APSI). These week long adventures designed for both the beginning and seasoned AP teacher, provide valuable insights into the teaching of any AP Psychology course. I've heard many a teacher say the APSI is probably the one best thing that has helped their teaching of AP Psychology with the possible exception of being a reader.

AP Psychology Advanced Placement Summer Institutes (APSI)are offered at over 50 locations throughout the country, and designed for new, experienced or both new and experienced AP teachers. Most last four or five days and are run by endorsed consultants of the College Board.

To learn more about a specific institute, go to the Institutes and Workshop section of AP Central at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/Pageflows/InstitutesAndWorkshops/InstitutesAndWorkshopsController.jpf The site includes a search engine where you can find a APSI in your part of the country. You can search by topic, date, and/or location.

Share