PsychSessions: Conversations about Teaching N' Stuff

For this IntroPsychSessions bonus episode, Garth interviewed Jason Eggerman from Spokane Community College in Spokane, WA. Enjoy this back-to-school energy booster shot discussion about introductory psychology.

This is an overview episode provided by Eric and Garth about the IntroPsychSessions back-to-school mini-series presented by PsychSessions. We catch up on some podcast news, provide some of the rationale for this flight of 8 energy booster shots, and we dream out loud about other possible future mini-series. Enjoy!

In this episode Eric interviews Bryan Saville from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. We hear the story of the electrical engineering major turned psychology major who eventually lands at Auburn to study with the master Bill Buskist. Bryan discusses his orientation toward behavior analysis, interteaching, and how it impacts his teaching. His recent research activities have turned to the...

In this episode Eric interviews Kevin Apple from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Kevin serves as department chair, and he clearly sees how important the chair is to providing vital services to constituents. The institutional innovation of Assessment Day allows Kevin and the department to leverage assessment in a meaningful way to 'close the loop' and inform changes which lead to meas...

In this episode Eric interviews Michael Hall from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Michael's fascination with sound and music start in childhood as his mother was a concert pianist, and this personal interest turns professional with his training in psychoacoustics. Michael also shares his philosophy about the role of undergraduate education, the importance of research experiences, his...

In this episode Garth interviews Aaron Richmond from Metropolitan State University-Denver in CO. Their friendship is clear from the start, beginning with Aaron's academic original story at Western Montana College, then deep conversations about scaffolding, the syllabus, translational science, and "opportunities" for students. But Aaron pre-academic original story is just as engaging; learn about w...

In this episode Eric interviews Anna Ropp from Metropolitan State University-Denver in CO. We chatted about the personal and professional, from different job locations and how sunlight can affect health to how Anna developed her social media expertise (including tools of the trade). Her service to others includes regional (RMPA) and national (STP) organizations. Listen for the fascinating trio of...

In this episode Eric interviews Leslie Cramblet Alvarez from Adams State University in Alamosa, CO. Leslie is a leader in our field, whether at her own Hispanic serving institution or the national stage. Her decision-making after earning her bachelor's degree mirrors many of today's students, and Leslie's tenacity and drive are equally inspirational. Leslie describes the benefits of marriage to a...

In this episode Eric interviews Bethany Fleck from Metropolitan State University-Denver in CO. The conversation opens with her origin stories, earning a master's of science degree in college teaching on her way to the doctorate. But then the topics became more personal, about work-life balance, pervasive mommy-guilt, and the partial solution of double-dipping method. The interview closes with her...

In this episode Eric interviews Laura Madson from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. Laura describes her process for selecting her doctoral specialty area by first determining what areas not to pursue. She also describes collaboration with the outcome perhaps confusing (L. Madson & L. Madson). Laura's passion and expertise clearly lie in the realm of team-based learning, and she descri...

In this episode Garth interviews Lindsay Masland from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. This conversation is a tour de force about the philosophy of teaching. Lindsay describes how a listserv post sparked a research project, why low teaching evaluation scores can be valuable data, and why she describes herself as learning-centered. As an educational psychologist, Lindsay has thought deepl...

In this episode Garth interviews Jon Grahe from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. During this chat, Jon talks about how his disappointment in the direction of the discipline stimulated new, generative research methods. He is incredibly insightful about why students struggle with statistics and research methods; listen to him describe why he believed he had to fix science, hear about the d...

In this episode Garth interviews Karen Brakke from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Although many grew up with Jane Goodall as our hero, Karen pursued this passion and worked with apes, chimpanzees, and bonobos to understand language and communication. Karen's leadership skills include chairing her department at Spelman as well as serving as President of the Southeastern Psychological Association....

In this episode Garth and Eric interview Drew Christopher from Albion College in Albion, MI. As an undergraduate, Drew majored in economics and finance; to learn how he became interested in psychology, you will have to listen (it's a good story). Drew generously shares his journal expertise from 10+ years of service as Editor of Teaching of Psychology, as well as telling stories about graduate sch...

In this episode Garth and Eric interview Barney Beins from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. Barney's career has taken so many interesting twists and turns that it is difficult to discuss everything in an hour. The main theme that emerges in our conversation together is Barney's leadership in many organizations over the course of his career, including in the APA Education Directorate, as STP President...

We hope you will listen to this short sidebar from Eric at the PsychSessions podcast about the Help Helped Me initiative underway through Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.

In this episode Garth and Eric interview Noland White from Georgia College & State University. It's refreshing to hear the role that assessment plays in Noland's day-to-day practices -- for his students and for his own continuous improvement. Learn how providing detailed, honest feedback and an unplanned taxi ride to the airport led to the opportunity to become part of Ciccarelli and White. Noland...

In this episode Garth and Eric interview Beth Morling from the University of Delaware. Beth's story has intriguing twists and turns, such as starting college as a religion major but graduating as a psychology major, putting off Research Methods until her senior year but eventually authoring a Research Methods text, not really interested in writing a book, but after writing a detailed review for a...

In this episode Garth and Eric interview Danae Hudson and Brooke Whisenhunt from Missouri State University. Meeting in graduate school, Brooke and Danae become quick friends who land in the same academic department, and launch into a redesign of the introductory psychology course. Being good psychological scientists using evidence-based practices, this leads them to an exciting introductory psycho...

In this episode Garth and Eric interview Charles Brewer from Furman University in South Carolina (with guest host John Batson). Charles' contributions to the teaching of psychology are prodigious, as a John B. Watson scholar, 12 years as editor of the journal Teaching of Psychology , in the room at the very beginning of the AP Psychology Reading, participation on APA Boards and Council, and much m...

Please enjoy this short sidebar from us at the PsychSessions podcast about the Teaching Introductory Psychology, Northwest conference -- learn about this inexpensive yet invaluable one-day professional development opportunity occurring April 2018.

In this episode Garth and Eric interview Bill McKeachie from the University of Michigan. Bill is a legendary figure in the teaching of psychology, former APA President, introductory psychology textbook author, well-connected (friends with Fred Skinner, Abe Maslow), softball player, and so much more.  The recording of this episode was sponsored in part by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology...

In this episode Garth interviews Melissa Beers from the Ohio State University.  It's clear from this interview that Missy does not do anything "half" -- she's all-Ohio, all-Ohio State, all-psychology, completely dedicated to her graduate students' development as student-centered teachers, she's all about assessment, and that she completely embraces her dream job which is all about teaching.

In this episode Garth interviews Bridgette Martin Hard from Duke University in North Carolina.  In a delightful interview, Bridgette discusses the craft of teaching, the importance of storytelling and narrative, the advantages of her theater and improv training, how teaching conferences transform teachers in isolation into teachers in collaboration, pays homage to many mentors (including Charles B...

In this episode Eric interviews Dan Corts from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.  Dan is truly a modern-day Renaissance man, including his diverse interests as an undergraduate student to understanding and appreciating the importance of mentoring to playing a key role in Psi Chi (the International Honor Society in Psychology) to being a successful introductory psychology textbook author and hi...