Educate yourself

APA's Education Directorate's 2007 programming will lead off with the symposium "Application of Psychological Science to Teaching and Learning: A Web-based Resource," held Saturday, Aug. 18, at 12 p.m., and sponsored by the Board of Educational Affairs (BEA) Applications of Psychological Science to Teaching and Learning Task Force.

In the symposium, task force members will describe educational strategies that-as shown by psychological science-boost student learning. Task force members compiled these strategies on a Web site for educators and parents. In the session they will present on such Web site topics as managing class disruptions and offering feedback that enhances learning.

Task force chair Mary Brabeck, PhD, of New York University, will lead the symposium with the presentation "Using Practice Effectively to Increase Learning and Achievement."

Additional task force presenters and their talks are:

• Joan Lucariello, PhD, of Boston College, "Diagnostic Teaching: Capturing Students' Pre-Instructional Knowledge that Affects Learning" and "Getting Students Over Their Pre-Instructional Subject-Matter (Knowledge) Misconceptions to Increase Learning and Achievement."

• Margaret Semrud-Clikeman, PhD, of Michigan State University, "Respondent From a Brain Researcher's Perspective."

• Carol Dwyer, PhD, of the Educational Testing Service, "Using Praise to Enhance Student Learning" and "Formative Assessment-Giving Feedback to Students in Order to Improve Learning."

• Barbara McCombs, PhD, of the University of Denver Research Institute, "Developing More Autonomous Learners in the Classroom."

• Thomas R. Kratochwill, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, "Managing Students' Disruptive Behaviors."

• Sandra Graham, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles, "Dealing With Bullies Effectively."

Other education highlights include a salute to high school psychology teachers at the session "Aiming for Excellence: Celebrating Fifteen Years of TOPSS," held Saturday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m., and sponsored by BEA and the Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS). The symposium will feature presentations by Charles Spielberger, PhD, of the University of South Florida; Amy Fineburg, of Spain Park High School; Randy Ernst, of Lincoln Schools; and Mary Jean Voigt, of Boylan High School. Charles Brewer, PhD, of Furman University, will chair the session.

In addition, BEA will sponsor the session "Student Learning Outcomes Across Educational Contexts: Impacts and Predictions," on Sunday, Aug. 19 from 2-3:50 p.m. Presenters include session chair Jane S. Halonen, PhD, of the University of West Florida; Amy Fineburg, of Spain Park High School; Patricia Puccio, PhD, of the College of DuPage; Bill Hill, PhD, of Kennesaw State University; and Nadine Kaslow, PhD, of Emory University Schoolof Medicine.

The session will address new developments in standards, guidelines and benchmarks regarding psychology learning outcomes. Panelists will discuss the impact of such efforts and predict future directions.