PsychSessions: Conversations about Teaching N' Stuff

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 details of his Crisis Schmeisis tour, why he never assigns homework, his love of music, and so much more.

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. Her generosity is amazing and her talents run deep; this conversation only scratches the surface.

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 school collaborations, how he became involved in STP, his undergraduate statistics textbook, and more.

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, APA Council Representative, in Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology, and so much more.

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 is indeed a Southern gentleman, and hear him talk about finding his tribe, work-life balance, and much more.

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 publisher, discovering that she loves the writing process. And, Beth offers academics tips on how to say 'no.'

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 psychology digital-first publishing project set to launch soon. In the end, it really is all about relationships.

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 more. This episode was sponsored in part by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP): teachpsych.org.

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 legendary in the teaching of psychology, a former APA President, an introductory psychology textbook author, well-connected (friends with Fred Skinner, Abe Maslow), and so much more. This episode was sponsored in part by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP); teachpsych.org. 

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 Brewer), and more.

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 his curiosity as a world traveler.

In this episode Garth and Eric interview Ken Keith from the University of San Diego.  Recorded at the Annual Conference on Teaching, Ken was, as always, a true gentleman -- whether talking about his own educational choices, his inability to accept a compliment, special friendships and the grammar police, and still to this day embodying his 'aw shucks' Iowa farm boy mentality.