Intro Psych Application Papers

SRL Projects SRL Projects Jan – Jun 2008Jan – Jun 2008

Robin LightnerRaymond Walters College

Psy 102 | Museum AssignmentUse observations,

theories, and concepts about child development (e.g., Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson) to make suggestions for improvements to the Cincinnati Children’s Museum.

Goals• At least ½ of

students will turn in papers for revision.

• 70% of students will score in the top two levels of performance in each of the writing categories.

Support for Students• Pretest-revision

sheet• SRL exercise with

examples in class• Goal setting sheet

with check-ins• In-class article

practice

Support for StudentsBrainstorming Results Example of an A paper (with annotated explanations of different parts) Due dates for parts (although a few vehemently oppose) Grammar highlighting optionAudio commentary optionAPA style mini-lecture in classGrammar highlightingIn-class writing day (?)

Due DatesTicket stub, Topic, References, Exhibit description, (2 pgs + Title + Refs) Jan 29th

Draft for audio Feb. 12thGrammar highlight Feb. 21ndFinal Paper Feb. 26thWeekly Goals for your writing process

WeekGoal Outcome Adjustment

Jan 15th

Jan 22nd

Jan 29th

Feb 5th

Feb 12th

Feb 19th

Feb 26th *Turn in final draft

Intro psych students performing at 80% ( >B- ) on Children's Museum Paper

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Conce

pts

Descr

iptio

n

Sourc

es

Impr

ovem

ents

Organ

izTone

Gram

mar

APA

Overa

ll

% o

f s

co

res

at

B-

or

Be

tte

r

winter 2006

winter 2007

winter 2008

spring 2008

GOAL

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Students Performing at 80% ( >B- )on Children's Museum Paper

winter 2006

winter 2007

GOAL

Results

• Articles remain challenging! More scaffolding needed.

• Student absences on key days a challenge

• Students forget to include psych terminology/concepts

• Too many students didn’t even look at rubric.

AdjustmentsAdjustments

• Sources and concept inclusion need structuring

• Shorten goal sheet/time frame

• Show data from winter about audio comments

• Assign self-ratings on rubric

Psy 103 | Movie Assignment

Using principles of social psychology, evaluate the movie for its portrayal of relationships.

Goals• 80% of students would

turn in appropriate references

• 80% of students would pass the pre-paper worksheet.

• 80% of students would earn a B or better on every section of the paper

Support for Students• SRL activity, goal setting

sheet, weekly check-ins • References activity• Worksheet for concepts and

article summaries• In-class tone activity• Audio feedback on drafts• Grammar highlighting• Rubric self-rating assigned

Support for Students

Date Goal Outcome Adjustment

Week of April 30th

Week of May 7th

Week of May 14th

OVERALL PAPER GOAL

Brainstorming options for help: Writing labAudio commentaryPeer reviewConferenceGrammar highlightingOutline check Worksheet feedback Librarian appointment

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Concepts

Sources

Tone

Organ

izAPA

Gram

mar

Overa

ll

Students Performing at 80% on Movie Application Paper

spring 2006

spring 2007

GOAL

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60

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95

Students Performing at 80% on Movie Application Paper

spring 2006

spring 2007

Up

from

47%!

Results

• Didn’t meet goal, but students did okay on a more difficult paper this year

• Article use getting better

• Worksheet on articles/content = a keeper

• Persuasion to use audio feedback helped

• Self-ratings on rubric = a keeper

• What’s going on with grammar this quarter????

Conclusions & AdjustmentsConclusions & Adjustments• Paper explanations to be posted on

Blackboard as mp3’s – APA style exercises– Article summary exercises

• How much structure is too much? • How much APA style and grammar

should I expect them to have or seek out independently?