Psychology Community Websites- Sensation and Perception

Submitted by: Drew Baker
School: Glen Allen High School

Summary

Through the creation of community websites, the students will instruct their classmates and invited friends, families and peers in the psychological and neurological aspects of sensation and the major senses. Each group of 4-6 students will collaborate by researching a specific sense and create a webpage that will serve as a part of the overall group’s site. They will conduct original research as well as define, explain, and incorporate all major AP Psychology terms that relate to their topic. All citations will be collected and organized by the group and then placed on a citations page, so that their original research will be showcased. Upon completion, these sites will be shared with students from other classes, family members, faculty, and friends outside of Glen Allen. The students will be assessed both as a group and individually using a rubric given to them at the onset of the assignment. The webpages will remain live and can be used as a review throughout the year, before mid-terms, and the AP Psychology test.

TIPC Ratings

Ideal/Target- The instructor facilitated an environment in which students used original research questions as well as AP curricula to drive their research on sensation. Strategies of research (checking validity/accuracy and using advanced search stragegies) were modeled and reinforced throughout the lesson. Students were also given the opportunity to select their own digital tools and sources. The information is displayed by students using digital tools that allow peers and non-students to interact with the research in an authentic manner.

Ideal/Target- This lesson was designed to create an environment that clearly promotes collaboration within and beyond the classroom through the use of the google site. No direct supervision was needed once the collaborative norms were established and modeled. The students chose their own groups for this assignment, and selected tools that allowed them to collaborate with peers and others outside of school while the instructor facilitated.

Approaching- This lesson allowed the students to find solutions to authentic tasks through the creation of effective teaching site. The students are supported and challenged in critical thinking by establishing original research questions based on their own interests and inquires. The students themselves apply many digital tools within the website to achieve this goal and solve te problem.

Target- The instructor modeled creativity and craftsmanship by displaying his own webpages and designs. The opportunities to collaborate and create were prevalent throughout the assignment through the individual and group elements of the page and site creation. The creativity is also assessed through the rubric since students created meaningful and original work that will be utilized as a teaching tool later in the course. The students used their self-generated knowledge to create these products and are given the freedom to modify, manipulate, or link the site to anything that may help them achieve their goal of quality instruction.