In-Class Activities:
1) Neuron Note: You wrote one last Neuron Note before the test and you read the answers to last class' questions.
2) I collected the Psych Sim: Statistics assignment.
3) I also gave you one more experiment to identify the hypothesis, IV, DV, experimental group, control group. If you are still having trouble with this, talk to me or your study buddy before the test!
4) Sample Size Matters. Each of you got a sample of M&Ms. You calculated the percentage of each color of your M&Ms sample. Is it representative of the entire population of M&Ms' colors? No. So we calculated the entire class' M&M sample. Was it representative of the entire population of M&Ms? No. But it made the point of sampling and it tasted good.
Here is the distribution of colors:
13% Brown, 14% Yellow, 20% Orange, 13% Red, 16%Green, 24% Blue
For more M&Ms info, visit: http://us.mms.com/us/
5) Central Tendency and Height. You all became "data" and we organized ourselves into a dichotomy, trichotomy, continuum, range, and histogram with mean, median, mode.
6) Standard Deviation Notes. We went step-by-step through the calculations of standard deviation using the example of punting distances. I explained the Normal Curve and its key percentages: 68%, 95%, 99.7%
7) Correlation Coefficient Notes. You do not need to know how to calculate it, but you do need to know what it means. There are two major questions to ask: Is it positive or negative? What is the strength? We went through examples and I encouraged you to find more in your life.
8) We tried out the new video series, "Inside Out" with the episode called "Endless Questions." It is a good summary for chapter 1.
Assignments:
1) Finish Chapter 1
2) Study for the first big test on Thursday. 100 Multiple Choice Questions in 70 Minutes. Get together with your study buddy. Review flashcards. Re-read the sections that were confusing. Send a message me. Good Luck! Remember to overlearn!
3) Placebo Effect Extra Credit DVD at lunch if you are interested...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
August 28: Research Methods
What a wacky shortened period! Lock-down. Swine Flu. We'll get into this school routine somehow!
In-Class Activities:
1) Neuron Note. You read responses from last class' questions and you asked new questions in regards to the reading.
2) Since the period was shortened, I chose to cut the pop quiz you were going to take today. Many of you have ROCKSTAR notes so I expect you would have gotten a 10/10! Keep up the hard work!
3) We got into our groups from the naturalistic observation. You brainstormed different human behaviors that make us curious. This is what research psychologists do -- spending their days ask questions, using the scientific method to find answers to those questions, refining their questions, and doing more studies. You made a list of interesting behaviors you observed and developed hypotheses based on those interesting behaviors. Then, you tried to operationally define your hypotheses from your observation and determine a plan for trying to do more research on your prediction. We shared our hypothesis with each other. I collected all of the naturalistic work.
4) We took notes over Description Research methods of surveys, naturalistic observation, interviews, case studies and all of pros and cons for using them. Then we took notes over Correlational Research or Non-Experimental Research and how it is used to find associations between variables. We discussed when and why it is used. And we took notes over Experimentation and analyzed the five basic parts of an experiment: Hypothesis, Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, Experimental Group, and Control Group. You heard about Theresa Amabile's experiment examining creativity and competitive rewards. We dissected her experiment into the five basic elements. We also discussed operational definitions, confounding variables, random assignment, lab vs. field experiments, and replication.
Assignments:
1) Read Chapter 1 pp. 41-47 or just finish it!
2) Psych Sim on Descriptive Statistics and Correlation. Use the textbook's website and complete the two simulations. Then practice what you learned with this handout.
3) Test over Prologue and Chapter 1 is next Thursday.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
August 26: Introduction to Research
Good Job Everyone! I am impressed by most of you...great notes, nice system for notecards, thoughtful Neuron Note questions, connections made with other classmates. Way to go! If you cannot keep up, you need to talk to me now before it becomes a problem. Send me an email if you are having issues.
In-Class Activities:
1) Neuron Note...You read my responses to last class period's questions and wrote a new question. What do you think of this? I also gave you a "Question of the Day" -- a difficult but relevant concept that you might have found while reading or settling into the routine of studying psychology.
Today's Question: Why was Roger Sperry important?
2) You turned in your textbook website assignment. If you were not able to get it via email, I apologize. Please do it tonight. FYI: Late work will earn half points and I will not accept it once it becomes a habit.
3) Scissors Game. You passed scissors around the room as I said "Correct" of "Incorrect."
You tried to figure out the rule of this odd game. It was fun and gave you a chance to "feel" the scientific method. Observing, making a hypothesis, doing your research, finding conclusions and doing it all over again.
4) We tried to continue understanding how psychologists use critical thinking to understand behavior and mental processes by taking some notes.
5) We watched the Phil Zimbardo video "Understanding Research" to get our minds turned on to why psychologists do experiments and other types of research. It talked about placebo effect, double-blind studies, correlation is not necessarily causation, placebo effect, and more.
5) You got the Naturalistic Observation assignment. With a partner in class, you must to observe two or more people interacting for ~10 minutes and take notes. Once your notes are complete and before you talk to your partner, you write up a 1-page summary of your observation and then swap with your partner. After reading their response, you record the differences in your observations. You must complete this assignment before class on Friday.
Assignments:
1) Read chapter 1 pp. 31-42
2) Naturalistic Observation
Monday, August 24, 2009
August 24: Approaches to Psychology
ATTENTION 2B!! I FORGOT TO GIVE YOU THE HANDOUT TO EXAMINE THE TEXTBOOK'S WEBSITE! I AM SENDING IT TO YOU AS AN ATTACHMENT VIA EMAIL AND IT IS ALSO HANGING ON MY CLASSROOM DOOR!
In Class-Activities:
1) You wrote a Neuron Note and read the responses to last period's Neuron Note questions. This will be a regular activity at the start of class every day. Hopefully, you will make the most of it by getting out your notes, reviewing them, writing a thoughtful question or comment, and then reading my answers to your previous questions. The goal is to REVIEW the textbook reading. If you haven't read, please do not write a question. Keep up with the reading!!! And reviewing!!!
2) We made sure everyone was ready to start learning so it was the last time to show me a book covered, parent signature, binder with dividers, and notecards. I also checked that you had created the vocabulary notecards of the Prologue and Chapter 1. Nice Job. There were some very creative ways to keep them organized. Keep up the good work!
3) As a way to really understand each perspective of psychology, you broke into your table teams and made a poster of all the approaches to psychology. In your group, you compared the chart on page 11 in your textbook with the College Board Outline and then with the "Psychology & You" textbook's explanation of the approaches. You made a poster of perspectives. With each perspective, you wrote the definition, listed famous people, and gave examples. At the end of class, we analyzed a situation with a woman who was depressed after dating a man of a different religion. The goal of the day was to REALLY understand the differing views psychologists take when examining human behavior.
Assignments:
1) Read the beginning of chapter 1 up to page 30.
2) Review all the notecards you made for the Prologue and chapter1.
3) Visit the textbook's website and complete the handout. OH NO!!! I forgot to give it to Pierod 2B! I'll email it to all of you! You can get a copy of it on my classroom door!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
August 20: Introduction/History of Psych
In-Class Activities:
1) You wrote your first Neuron Note. This is a way for you to ask me questions about the reading every class period. If you do not have a question from the reading, you can make a thoughtful comment. I do this activity for many reasons but the main one is so you continually review the reading. Think about it: You read and took notes over the assigned pages at home. Today, you reviewed your notes by thinking about them as you wrote your Neuron Note. Tonight, I am responding to your questions and you will be able to read all the answers on Monday. It keeps you reviewing and reviewing the reading. If you do not read, please do not waste your time and my time writing a bogus question. This daily activity is for serious students who have genuine questions and thoughts about the reading.
2) I checked your Book Cover, Parent Signature, Binder with Dividers. You must have a system and these easy activities some me that you are getting yourself organized. I am impressed by some of you. Those of you who could not do these simple assignments need to reconsider whether or not you can keep up with this class. It is an AP elective and you will need to be on top of the assignments. Please think about your ability to participate fully if these easy tasks were too much.
3) Study Skills Assessment. We went over the assignment to assess your study skills. Knowing what kind of learner you are, along with how well you take notes on the reading and lectures, are key to doing well in AP Psych. Please consider all of this as you settle into the routine of this class. Again, some of you might consider choosing another elective if this activity was too challenging.
4) We watched the first in a video series called "Discovering Psychology." It is outdated and we will not be using it this year, but is iconic in the world of psychology. Even though the clips are old, it is a fabulous review on the major units of study. Philip Zimbardo, former professor and researcher at Stanford and APA President, is the narrator. Today's video was a simple introduction to psychology with a great review of the major historical figures.
5) We completed a "quiz" that challenged your assumptions. For example, what professional baseball player stole the most bases in a year? The answer is Sophie Kurys, a female who played on the Women's Professional Baseball Team of the Racine Belles in 1946. While trying to understand human behavior, we jump to conclusions that we believe to be true, but we haven't seen the whole picture. I encourage you to let go of your overconfidence in what you know to be true and realize much of our assumptions are not 100% accurate.
6) I lectured on the History of Psychology: its roots, its beginning as a science and as therapy, as well as current views.
Assignments:
1) Read the rest of the Prologue pp.9-16 Take serious notes and think about what you might ask as a Neuron Note question next class.
2) Send me an email answering one of the eight FAQ of psychology and the name of your Study Buddy.
3) Complete all the vocabulary notecards for the Prologue and Ch.1
1) You wrote your first Neuron Note. This is a way for you to ask me questions about the reading every class period. If you do not have a question from the reading, you can make a thoughtful comment. I do this activity for many reasons but the main one is so you continually review the reading. Think about it: You read and took notes over the assigned pages at home. Today, you reviewed your notes by thinking about them as you wrote your Neuron Note. Tonight, I am responding to your questions and you will be able to read all the answers on Monday. It keeps you reviewing and reviewing the reading. If you do not read, please do not waste your time and my time writing a bogus question. This daily activity is for serious students who have genuine questions and thoughts about the reading.
2) I checked your Book Cover, Parent Signature, Binder with Dividers. You must have a system and these easy activities some me that you are getting yourself organized. I am impressed by some of you. Those of you who could not do these simple assignments need to reconsider whether or not you can keep up with this class. It is an AP elective and you will need to be on top of the assignments. Please think about your ability to participate fully if these easy tasks were too much.
3) Study Skills Assessment. We went over the assignment to assess your study skills. Knowing what kind of learner you are, along with how well you take notes on the reading and lectures, are key to doing well in AP Psych. Please consider all of this as you settle into the routine of this class. Again, some of you might consider choosing another elective if this activity was too challenging.
4) We watched the first in a video series called "Discovering Psychology." It is outdated and we will not be using it this year, but is iconic in the world of psychology. Even though the clips are old, it is a fabulous review on the major units of study. Philip Zimbardo, former professor and researcher at Stanford and APA President, is the narrator. Today's video was a simple introduction to psychology with a great review of the major historical figures.
5) We completed a "quiz" that challenged your assumptions. For example, what professional baseball player stole the most bases in a year? The answer is Sophie Kurys, a female who played on the Women's Professional Baseball Team of the Racine Belles in 1946. While trying to understand human behavior, we jump to conclusions that we believe to be true, but we haven't seen the whole picture. I encourage you to let go of your overconfidence in what you know to be true and realize much of our assumptions are not 100% accurate.
6) I lectured on the History of Psychology: its roots, its beginning as a science and as therapy, as well as current views.
Assignments:
1) Read the rest of the Prologue pp.9-16 Take serious notes and think about what you might ask as a Neuron Note question next class.
2) Send me an email answering one of the eight FAQ of psychology and the name of your Study Buddy.
3) Complete all the vocabulary notecards for the Prologue and Ch.1
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
August 18: First Day of AP Psych
Welcome to AP Psychology!
I am psyched! I hope you are psyched too.
Over the years, I have used many ways to communicate with students regularly outside of class, but the blog has been super helpful since I am only at LAHS on B days. My goal is for you to feel very connected to AP Psych and never feel like you "don't know what is going on." Please bookmark this blog and visit it before you come to class everyday. I will post our class activities, assignments, great websites, fresh ideas, and more.
In-Class Activities:
1) I welcomed you and told you about myself and the class.
2) We went through the AP Psychology Expectations handout, the College Board's AP Psychology outline, Exam Tidbits, and Advice from Last Year's AP Psych students. This is a college level class and we will be taking the AP exam in May. If this commitment is too much, you should make an appointment with your counselor for a schedule change. Regular Psychology might better suit your needs.
3) You completed a notecard of information about yourself: basic information as well as your strengths/weaknesses/worthwhile learning experiences/ineffective learning experiences.
4) You completed a survey on contentious topics of psychology. We had a mini discussion on the topics. Nature vs. Nurture, man!
Tonight's Assignments:
Quick stuff...
1) Cover your book
2) Have your parent's sign the AP Psych Expectations handout.
3) Get a binder with 14 dividers (that can just be colored paper) that correspond with the units on the College Board Outline
Online activities...
4) Email me at l.ovaska@laschools.net
*One topic from you textbook that interests you.
*One cool fact about yourself.
5) Bookmark this blog and www.apa.org
REAL WORK...
6) Complete the AP PSYCH STUDY SKILLS ASSESSMENT. This will give you and me a better understanding of your study habits and skills.
* Take the multiple intelligences quiz and think about how you can in corporate those skills into your studying. Here is the link: Find Your Strengths
*Watch 30 minutes of an educational show and take notes. Bring them so I can assess your notetaking. I suggest PBS' "The Brain Fitness" on tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm on channel 5.
*Look up the Cornell and SQ3R methods of taking notes on a textbook.
*Assess your time management.
7) Read the Prologue pp.1-9 and take superstar notes and make notecards of all the vocabulary in the Prologue if you haven't.
Oh! I forgot...bring Kleenex if you can! :)
Extra Information:
Not only should you visit this blog at: http://ovaska-appsych.blogspot.com/, the American Psychological Association at: www.apa.org, but you should explore the textbook's website at: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers7e
I am psyched! I hope you are psyched too.
Over the years, I have used many ways to communicate with students regularly outside of class, but the blog has been super helpful since I am only at LAHS on B days. My goal is for you to feel very connected to AP Psych and never feel like you "don't know what is going on." Please bookmark this blog and visit it before you come to class everyday. I will post our class activities, assignments, great websites, fresh ideas, and more.
In-Class Activities:
1) I welcomed you and told you about myself and the class.
2) We went through the AP Psychology Expectations handout, the College Board's AP Psychology outline, Exam Tidbits, and Advice from Last Year's AP Psych students. This is a college level class and we will be taking the AP exam in May. If this commitment is too much, you should make an appointment with your counselor for a schedule change. Regular Psychology might better suit your needs.
3) You completed a notecard of information about yourself: basic information as well as your strengths/weaknesses/worthwhile learning experiences/ineffective learning experiences.
4) You completed a survey on contentious topics of psychology. We had a mini discussion on the topics. Nature vs. Nurture, man!
Tonight's Assignments:
Quick stuff...
1) Cover your book
2) Have your parent's sign the AP Psych Expectations handout.
3) Get a binder with 14 dividers (that can just be colored paper) that correspond with the units on the College Board Outline
Online activities...
4) Email me at l.ovaska@laschools.net
*One topic from you textbook that interests you.
*One cool fact about yourself.
5) Bookmark this blog and www.apa.org
REAL WORK...
6) Complete the AP PSYCH STUDY SKILLS ASSESSMENT. This will give you and me a better understanding of your study habits and skills.
* Take the multiple intelligences quiz and think about how you can in corporate those skills into your studying. Here is the link: Find Your Strengths
*Watch 30 minutes of an educational show and take notes. Bring them so I can assess your notetaking. I suggest PBS' "The Brain Fitness" on tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm on channel 5.
*Look up the Cornell and SQ3R methods of taking notes on a textbook.
*Assess your time management.
7) Read the Prologue pp.1-9 and take superstar notes and make notecards of all the vocabulary in the Prologue if you haven't.
Oh! I forgot...bring Kleenex if you can! :)
Extra Information:
Not only should you visit this blog at: http://ovaska-appsych.blogspot.com/, the American Psychological Association at: www.apa.org, but you should explore the textbook's website at: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers7e
Monday, August 17, 2009
WELCOME 2009-2010 AP PSYCH-OS!
Hello and Welcome to AP Psychology at Los Alamos High School!
I am honored to be your teacher for this school year and I look forward to getting to know you. You have selected a challenging and extremely interesting elective as an upperclassmen. My expectations are high and I assume yours are too. Let's make the most of our year together and have fun as we examine human behavior from a scientific perspective.
The goal of this blog is to help you stay connected to psychology beyond class. I'll post our daily class activities and the assignments. I will also try to provide links to other great websites that will help you learn more. Please bookmark it and check it out daily. The more you review, the more you talk about psychology, the more you remember, the more you'll learn, and the better you do on the test.
If you are absent, you'll always know what we did that day and what assignments you need to get done. If you came to class but forgot your agenda, you also can double-check that you got all the assignments. If you would like to review what you've learned before a test, you can look at the recent posts.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning when we meet! I hope you are getting lots of sleep. If not, you might want to read ahead to chapter 7 on consciousness and see why sleep is so important. Or visit the American Psychological Association's article
"Why Sleep is Important and What Happens When You Don't Get Enough"
I am honored to be your teacher for this school year and I look forward to getting to know you. You have selected a challenging and extremely interesting elective as an upperclassmen. My expectations are high and I assume yours are too. Let's make the most of our year together and have fun as we examine human behavior from a scientific perspective.
The goal of this blog is to help you stay connected to psychology beyond class. I'll post our daily class activities and the assignments. I will also try to provide links to other great websites that will help you learn more. Please bookmark it and check it out daily. The more you review, the more you talk about psychology, the more you remember, the more you'll learn, and the better you do on the test.
If you are absent, you'll always know what we did that day and what assignments you need to get done. If you came to class but forgot your agenda, you also can double-check that you got all the assignments. If you would like to review what you've learned before a test, you can look at the recent posts.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning when we meet! I hope you are getting lots of sleep. If not, you might want to read ahead to chapter 7 on consciousness and see why sleep is so important. Or visit the American Psychological Association's article
"Why Sleep is Important and What Happens When You Don't Get Enough"
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