Inspiring Teaching and Learning in School Psychology

To be held at the National Science Learning Centre, University of York

This workshop will appeal to those who are involved in, or interested in, pre-tertiary psychology teaching in schools and colleges, particularly at A-level. Participants will take part in three engaging activities. Dorothy Coombs will lead a mini-workshop exploring good classroom practice in helping develop students’ knowledge and understanding. Fiona Birkbeck will introduce a novel practical activity where students use technology to investigate the biology of stress levels and their control. Rob Stone will lead participants in a collective enquiry into visual perception, exemplifying rigorous experimental methodology. Finally, Jeremy Airey will describe the professional development opportunities available through the Science Learning Centres, and explain how the workshop activities exemplify the approach taken.

Workshop Contributors

Dorothy Coombs, Association for the Teaching of Psychology

Dorothy is Chair of the ATP, and the manager of Life Sciences at a sixth form college in North Yorkshire. Her degree is in Biology with Education and she has taught psychology for 15 of her 30 years in teaching. Dorothy is also the vice president of the European Federation of Psychology Teachers' Associations.

Fiona Birkbeck, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Ashbourne

Fiona is Head of Behavioural Science at a technology college in Derbyshire. Fiona has an M.Ed in the psychology of learning and is one of the very small team of psychology-specialist Advanced Skills Teachers in England, a role which involves her in supporting other psychology teachers outside her school. Fiona also develops and runs workshops to help teachers understand and manage their own stress levels.

Rob Stone, Department of Psychology, University of York

Rob has been Senior Experimental Officer in the Department of Psychology at the University of York since 1994, having previously been a researcher in the department. His main responsibilities are for running undergraduate practical work and offering teaching support, particularly with regard to ICT; Rob also teaches data analysis skills.

Jeremy Airey, National Science Learning Centre, York

Jeremy has been Professional Development Leader at the National Science Learning Centre since September 2005, having previously been Head of Science in a large technology college. His responsibilities include the NSLC’s curriculum for life sciences (including psychology) at secondary level. He practised research in molecular immunology before becoming a teacher. Jeremy is also currently an A-level psychology student.

For further details please visit http://www.slcs.ac.uk/national/BPS07