Hi
On Mon, 5 Apr 1999 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Teaching introduction to psychology is a nearly impossible feat
> for any one person to accomplish properly: there is so much one
> must know, and know in a very deep way, if one is to explain it
> accurately and in an understandable way.
No one teacher can be familiar with all of the current thinking
on all of the topics covered not only in Intro psych, but also in
most undergraduate survey courses (e.g., developmental,
cognitive, personality, ...). The best that we can do is: (1)
communicate to students that this is our current limited
understanding in the area, (2) demonstrate how our knowledge is
being revised and developed with further research (i.e.,
explicate the scientific method), (3) invite students to provide
new information if they happen to have it from other more
specialized courses and be appreciative when such additions are
forthcoming, (4) develop a repertoire of gracious ways of dealing
with our mistakes and misunderstandings when they surface in
class (e.g., "That is interesting! I didn't know that! It is so
hard to stay on top of all of these areas. I don't know the
answer to that question ... has anyone else come across it in
their other courses?"), (5) perhaps even forewarn students that
knowledge in all areas of psychology is growing at a tremendous
rate and that they might find out later that some of what they
learn in your class may be shown ultimately to be incorrect, and
(6) [most importantly] be realistic and not perfectionistic about
how much new material we can acquire and incorporate into our
classes each year and persist with the gradual accumulation year
by year (i.e., good classroom content evolves, sometimes over a
considerable period of time).
> Needing a drink,
Ah ... self-medication! Make mine a rum and coke, please.
Best wishes
Jim
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James M. Clark (204) 786-9313
Department of Psychology (204) 774-4134 Fax
University of Winnipeg 4L02A
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/~clark
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