Lessons for psychology's teachers

Convention offers programs for all levels of educators.

The Board of Educational Affairs (BEA) and the APA Education Directorate hope to reflect the broad scope of education in psychology and provide cutting-edge information about the application of psychology to education at APA's 2001 Annual Convention.

Below are some of the directorate's highlights. For a complete list of programs, see the 2001 Convention Program catalogue, available in July, or click on the Convention Web site: www.apa.org/convention/.

Future faculty

• "Second annual developing psychology faculty workshop," Aug. 22, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Aug. 23, 8 a.m. to noon. Graduate students and postdocs interested in a career in academia, as well as new faculty members wishing to hone their teaching skills, should attend this preconvention workshop. Speakers will provide hands-on information on developing a philosophy of teaching, interactive modules for planning, delivering and evaluating courses, and strategic planning for continued professional development.

The presenters are: James Korn, PhD, chair, St. Louis University; Thomas McGovern, PhD, Arizona State University; and Barbara Nodine, PhD, Beaver College (Arcadia University). The workshop is sponsored by the APA's Education Directorate, the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) and the Preparing Future Faculty Program. Preregistration is required.

• "Career paths in psychology workshop," Aug. 23, 1-5 p.m. Following the "Developing Psychology Faculty" workshop, APA's Education Directorate will offer an afternoon of presentations by psychologists who have chosen different career paths. Participants will have an opportunity to hear what psychologists are doing and ask questions. Sponsored by APA's Education Directorate, BEA and APAGS.

Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS)

This year's Invited Addresses are:

• "The scientist-therapist gap: what students need to know," Aug. 24, noon-12:50 p.m. Carole Wade, PhD, Dominican University of California.

• "Teaching sleep and dreams in high school," Aug. 25, noon-12:50 p.m. William C. Dement, PhD, Stanford University.

• "Keeping the self in psychology: be interdisciplinary early and often," Aug. 24, 9-9:50 a.m. Dana S. Dunn, PhD, Moravian College.

• "Women aren't from Venus and men aren't from Mars," Aug. 25, 11-11:50 a.m. Carla Golden, PhD, Ithaca College.

• "Toys R usufructuary: the harvest from computers for introductory psychology," Aug 25, 9-9:50 a.m. Neil Lutsky, PhD, Carleton College.

• "Job burnout: what it is, what to do about it," Aug. 24, 10-10:50 a.m. Christina Maslach, PhD, University of California­Berkeley.

• "Teaching evolution in hostile environments," Aug. 24, 11-11:50 a.m. Randall D. Wight, PhD, Ouachita Baptist University.

• "What can I do with a psychology major?" Aug. 25, 10-10:50 a.m. Drew C. Appleby, PhD, Indiana University­Purdue University Indianapolis.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual issues

• "Addressing lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescent health and mental health in schools," Aug. 25, 8-9:50 a.m. APA's Healthy Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) Students Project, in conjunction with six organizations representing school health professionals, is working to increase the effectiveness of schools in promoting healthy outcomes for LGB students on issues of health and mental health. The Healthy LGB Students Project has completed its initial two-year needs-assessment of school counselors, nurses, psychologists and social workers regarding knowledge and provision of services to LGB youth in school-based settings. This workshop will present the findings from the needs assessment, review the outcomes of a recent panel of experts on LGB youth of color and discuss implications for psychologists working with schools and/or school-aged LGB youth.

The panelists are: Clinton Anderson, APA Public Interest Directorate; J. Davidson Porter, PhD, APA's Education Directorate; Richard Sawyer, PhD, Academy for Educational Development; Terry Gock, PhD, Asian Pacific Family Center; and Karen Anderson, PhD, APA's Education Directorate.

Gifted and talented children

• "Making the cut: the psychology of selective admissions," Aug. 25, 3-4:50 p.m. Every year, the hopes and dreams of thousands of adolescents and young adults are pinned on evaluations made by admissions directors and talent scouts. How do auditions at the conservatory distinguish the gifts of one candidate from another, when virtually all of the candidates have trained for years? How does an athletic team identify and recruit players for professional or competitive college sports? And what personality variables play a role in selective admissions at universities?

The panelists are: Rena Subotnik, PhD, chair, APA Education Directorate; Robin G. Mamlet, Stanford University; Susan Dean, San Francisco Conservatory of Music; and James Bauman, PhD, U.S. Olympic Committee. The discussant is Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD, University of Pennsylvania.

Technological advancements in class

• "Closing the gap: using technology to promote healthy behavior," Aug. 24, 3-4:50 p.m. Most public schools are wired for the Internet--the challenge is training teachers to use the technology. The speakers and participants are: Robin Hailstorks, PhD, Prince Georges Community College; Irene Spero, Web-based Education Commission, U.S. Department of Education; Kimberly Jefferies-Leonard, PhD, MayaTech Corporation; Eric K. Boutwell, San Francisco Public Schools; and Cynthia Baur, PhD, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Program consultation and accreditation

• "Recognition and accreditation of specialties: an open forum," Aug 24, 2-3:50 p.m. The speakers and participants are: Susan D. Phillips, PhD, chair, State University of New York, Albany; David Drum, PhD, University of Texas, Austin; Arthur Kovacs, PhD, independent practice; Jack K. Plummer, PhD, independent practice; and Ted Packard, PhD, University of Utah.