http://www.theatp.org/forum/ The Association for the Teaching of Psychology en Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:48:52 +0000 http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/advice-for-pgce-in-psychology#post-199 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:57:36 +0000 Deb Gajic 199@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Experience is a must. Arrange to go into a local school/college and observe some psychology lessons. Ensure you are knowledgeable about policy and recent developments in Education, read the TES weekly. Psychology PGCEs are very competitive, as there are far more applicants than places - although new fees and removal of bursaries might affect this next year.</p> <p>Apply early, if you were thinking of Sept 2012, a bit late for that advice now!!! Sell yourself both in your application and at interview. Be prepared to justify why you want to teach Psychology. Be aware of the different A level specifications, visit the awarding bodies websites. Also, make sure you know about OFSTED requirements, child protection and any other legislation that directly affects teachers. Buzz words at the moment seem to be AFL (Assessment for Learning), Individualised learning (another word for differentiation), differentiate learning outcomes etc.</p> <p>Visit <a href="http://www.gttr.ac.uk/" rel="nofollow">http://www.gttr.ac.uk/</a> for details of courses and vacancies.</p> <p>Hope this helps. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/advice-for-pgce-in-psychology#post-198 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:31:28 +0000 MsD 198@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hi Forum members, </p> <p>I am interested in pursuing a career as a Psychology teacher. Would any of you be willing to provide any advice or guidance concerning gaining admission to a PGCE in Psychology, (i.e. how to stand out from the list of excellent candidates). Additionally, what skills, abilities and qualities do schools and colleges seek in Psychology/Social Science staff? Thank you for your time. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/is-it-wrong-to-influence-friends-mental-development-on-purpose#post-160 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:19:49 +0000 kick201 160@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>I've been wondering about a very interesting and tricky question lately, since I've met this girl. She seems to be very undecided who she wants to be, part of her is very chaotic, part of her is very calm. I value calmness.</p> <p>\</p> <p>____________________________________<br /> <a href="http://www.www.freud-sigmund.com/">Sigmund Freud</a> </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/booster-courses#post-137 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:45:00 +0000 Deb Gajic 137@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>The National Science Learning Centre in York offers courses for non-specialists who wish to teach Psychology.</p> <p>Contact Jeremy Airey, the course director to see when the next one is planned: -</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/courses-and-events" rel="nofollow">https://www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/courses-and-events</a> </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/booster-courses#post-136 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:54:39 +0000 Flanks 136@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hi There</p> <p>I am a qualified teacher who since qualifying has become a specialised SEN teacher. I am soon to be taking up a post teaching autistic pupils at a Further Education College, where I may well be asked to provide for Psychology teaching.</p> <p>My question is if anyone knows of a university which provides a 1 week booster course for the subject? </p> <p>I know most universities offer a booster course week for their PGCE students before the teacher training begins proper, however I am having trouble finding a university which does the booster course!</p> <p>Thanks for any help. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/changing-from-aqa-to-ocr#post-134 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:30:20 +0000 Deb Gajic 134@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>I changed from AQA A to OCR and it's been the best thing for my students. AS and A2 achievement increased significantly. I was worried that the key studies approach at AS would be too repetitive, but the students seem to like it. You need to find the spec that best suits your students. In an ideal world I'd liked to teach OCR AS and AQA A A2!!! A lot of people are switching to Edexcel too, so I would look at that too if I were you. Either way loads of resources on Psychexchange to ease the switch to any new spec. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/changing-from-aqa-to-ocr#post-133 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:38:03 +0000 bhopkins 133@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Does anyone have experience of changing psychology specification from AQA A to OCR? We are currently considering this and believe that the study focus of the OCR spec would enable our students to develop greater underpinning knowledge of research methods and approaches. The current AQA topic focus seems to disadvantage our weaker students. Anyone out there made this move and was it successful? Your experiences would really help in the decision making process, so thanks in advance. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/qtls#post-132 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 07:54:18 +0000 Deb Gajic 132@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>One positive thing that may come out of the Wolfe Report is an end to the confusion surrounding QTLS and QT status. Hopefully, a straight forward route can be established so those qualified in FE can teach in schools without the need to complete another PGCE!</p> <p><a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6068636" rel="nofollow">http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6068636</a> </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/pgce-update-from-karen-duffy#post-131 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 07:05:16 +0000 Deb Gajic 131@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>The TDA have just released their allocations for PGCE psychology for the future . After our fight to actually get a PGCE , they have slashed the numbers by 50 % nationally ( we've all roughly gone from 10 places to 5) Also they have decided to slash the bursaries for psychology down to 0 ! ( even though 'other' science subjects are allocated £9k ) These students in the future will have to pay £6k to do a PGCE - we wonder just how many people will actually apply . We had over 200 talented psychology applicants this year for 10 places, who we had to reject and there are still significant numbers of schools who cant find a qualified psychology teacher . The PGCE community are exceptionally concerned what impact this will have on the quality of psychology teaching in the future. We as a community fought hard to achieve the status we have currently, only to have this taken away a year later </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/educational-trip-to-auschwitz#post-126 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:18:34 +0000 Deb Gajic 126@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hi Jan</p> <p>I haven't but I think Mandy Wood has, you can contact her through Psychexchange. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/educational-trip-to-auschwitz#post-125 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:31:54 +0000 jan.wilde 125@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Has anybody organised a trip to Auschwitz for students recently? Importantly, does anybody have access to a Risk Assessment for Auschwitz as we are visiting in February. Can anyone help with this or other tips for our visit?? </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/forging-links-with-other-6th-forms#post-117 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:03:43 +0000 jocartwright 117@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>I teach AQA(A) A' level at Driffiled School in East Yorkshire and I am looking for a sort of twinning or link with another Yorkshire or Lincolnshire school teaching the same.<br /> The intial aim is to forge links with students to extend gifted and talented students; however any other suggestions welcome.<br /> Is there anyone out there that is interested in such a venture?<br /> Jo Cartwright </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/behaviour-management#post-116 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:11:20 +0000 Deb Gajic 116@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Always difficult to maintain the right balance between treating them as young adults and managing behaviour.</p> <p>Set out clear guidelines and expectations at the beginning. And mean it. You must always be consistent, students respect teachers that are firm, but fair. Find out exactly what the policies are at the college your teaching practice is at and stick to them. Finally, don't be afraid to ask your mentor for help. No one expects you to get it right straight away.</p> <p>And a good sense of humour helps, you need to get the students on side. But make sure they know you mean business, you are there to teach them, not to be their friend. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/behaviour-management#post-115 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:06:19 +0000 Vicki Richardson 115@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>I have just begun my PGCE in Social Science and have been given my first teaching practice at a sixth form college teaching A-Level Psychology and Sociology. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for behaviour management in a post 16 classroom? I imagine these would be very different in comparison to a secondary classroom.<br /> Any help would be most helpful! </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/curriculum-for-excellence-scotland-views#post-114 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:03:06 +0000 Jonathan Firth 114@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>That's interesting, thanks Sophie.</p> <p>I think when it comes to flexibility, it will be interesting to see the detail - having a bit more choice in courses sounds good, but how will it be examined?</p> <p>As for cross-curricular links, that is already heavily encouraged where I work, but it only goes so far because of timetabling constraints etc. Plus I think the bottom line will remain: one course, one exam.</p> <p>You may be right about health and wellbeing, though I don't think the course content will be all mental health! It is a very broad section of the curriculum and I wondered if the motivation was to have some more academic/senior courses under that umbrella, as most of the subjects are more oriented to earlier years of secondary school.</p> <p>Jonathan </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/running-a-department#post-113 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:56:34 +0000 Jonathan Firth 113@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hi, I also set up a department in a school which hadn't taught the subject before, and it's a lot of hard work at first. Like others I largely developed my own materials, but the website that Deb linked to is very useful, and look out also for books on teaching psychology e.g. Matt Jarvis's 'Teaching Post-16 Psychology'. </p> <p>I'm in the Scottish branch of ATP and our website has a few links that may be of use: <a href="http://www.atps.org.uk/links.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.atps.org.uk/links.aspx</a></p> <p>It took me a while to get around to a Dept Handbook and what I have is probably too specific to my school/context to be of much help.</p> <p>Of course, a good textbook ideally with a resource pack/CD can be invaluable!</p> <p>Jonathan </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/comparison-of-exam-boards#post-111 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:25:08 +0000 Deb Gajic 111@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Cara Flanagan has posted a really useful comparison table on <a href="http://www.oxfordschoolblogs.co.uk/psychcompanion/blog/comparing-specifications-1081/" rel="nofollow">http://www.oxfordschoolblogs.co.uk/psychcompanion/blog/comparing-specifications-1081/</a></p> <p>However, the fact that each board attracts slightly different cohorts does mean an exact comparison is not possible. But interesting reading nevertheless. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/psychology-teaching-resource-website#post-110 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:09:56 +0000 Jeff Standen 110@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hi Lynsita</p> <p>I also run a website for my students. More and more of us are doing so. Yours looks great, and I see that you also do Access to HE. </p> <p>Have you thought of loading the link up to Psychexchange, and also putting a link on this ATP site so that even more people can share it? Mine is only a modest affair, but I had 7,700 hits this year from all over the world. You could do the same! </p> <p>Jeff Standen <a href="http://www.jeffstanden.net" rel="nofollow">http://www.jeffstanden.net</a> </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/running-a-department#post-109 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:20:01 +0000 lynsita 109@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hi Joe</p> <p>By the term, departmental Handbook, do you mean a handbook that the Head of Psychology has designed for the students? If so, I made my own. You're welcome to look at it if you think it would help (post back if interested)! If this isn't what you mean, then I'm afriad I can't help, as I (and I suspect other HoDs) just learned everything on the job.</p> <p>Hope this post helps!</p> <p>Lynsita </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/psychology-teaching-resource-website#post-108 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:17:04 +0000 lynsita 108@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hello!</p> <p>Just to let you all know that I've just uploaded all of my teaching resources from the last 5 years onto my own website. Please feel free to download any that you find useful (for free) but as I put a lot of time and effort into making them, I would like to have some resources in return.</p> <p>If you're interested, the address is:</p> <p><a href="http://www.psychedout.org.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.psychedout.org.uk</a></p> <p>Thanks!</p> <p>Lynsita </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/teachpsychscience#post-106 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:03:38 +0000 Mark Holah 106@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Definitely worth having a look at this site for resources for teaching research and statistics. </p> <p><a href="http://www.teachpsychscience.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.teachpsychscience.org</a> </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/curriculum-for-excellence-scotland-views#post-104 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:36:40 +0000 Sophie Adams 104@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Having just completed my probation year in Scotland as a PE teacher (assisting with Higher psychology), I have had years of training on CfE I feel there are many pros and cons.<br /> The new structure allows for much more flexibility not only within own subjects and departments, but on a cross curricular level (with sciences and sports etc). Particularly when it comes to completing the coursework part of Higher Psychology.<br /> With regards fitting in with the health and well being sector, I feel they have put psychology there to cover the mental well being which seems a bit daft is psychology is about more than just mental health issues.<br /> Having currently moved back south of the border to teach psychology I feel safer having a set curriculum to follow as I like having that structure. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/running-a-department#post-103 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:26:48 +0000 Deb Gajic 103@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hi Joe</p> <p>Can you be a bit more specific about what sort of help you require? Which spec will you be teaching?</p> <p>A good place to start looking for SOW, resources, etc. is <a href="http://www.psychexchange.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.psychexchange.co.uk</a> </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/running-a-department#post-102 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:26:38 +0000 jlanguyen 102@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Hi there,</p> <p>Just a quick note to ask for any advice as I have just got a job at a new school that has never taught Psychology before. I am recently NQT myself so any advice would be gratefully received. i.e a departmental handbook.</p> <p>Joe </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/curriculum-for-excellence-scotland-views#post-100 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:16:48 +0000 Jonathan Firth 100@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Particularly for teachers/FE lecturers in Scotland, I was wondering if anyone would like to share their views on the CforE changes which are just around the corner.</p> <p>As I understand it, Higher Psychology will remain, Intermediate 2 will be replaced by a new National 5 course, and Intermediate 1 will be scrapped but partially replaced with a general Social Sciences National 4. It is likely that course content and assessment will change significantly (the new courses are published in 2012 to start teaching in 2013 for National and 2014 for Higher).</p> <p>Also, Psychology (along with Sociology and Philosophy) have been put in the 'Health and Wellbeing' curriculum area - it is unclear what effect if any this will have on the new course content or skills.</p> <p>Update on SQA progress with the new qualifications available here: <a href="http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/42233.2636.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/42233.2636.html</a> </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/psychology-essay-prizes#post-92 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:54:17 +0000 George Smith 92@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>I've been teaching Psychology A level for about 8 years and only found out about one of the essay prizes on offer today! </p> <p>It seems high time the ATP maintained a list of these. </p> <p>To make a start: </p> <p>Department of Social and Developmental Psychology and Newnham College, Cambridge<br /> Title: : “In an era of genetics, are psychological studies of environmental influences irrelevant?”<br /> Entry requirements: A/S or first year higher only.<br /> Deadline: 31st June 2010<br /> WWW: <a href="http://www.sdp.cam.ac.uk/news/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sdp.cam.ac.uk/news/</a><br /> Contact: <a href="mailto:psychology-essay@ppsis.cam.ac.uk">psychology-essay@ppsis.cam.ac.uk</a></p> <p>Heythrop college, University of London<br /> Title: "THE LACK OF A SINGLE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK IN PSYCHOLOGY IS PROBLEMATIC FOR THE DISCIPLINE. DISCUSS."<br /> Entry requirements: Not aged over 19 on 31st March 2010.<br /> Deadline: PASSED<br /> WWW: <a href="http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/heythrop-psychology-essay-prize-2010.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/heythrop-psychology-essay-prize-2010.html</a><br /> Contact: <a href="mailto:enquiries@heythrop.ac.uk">enquiries@heythrop.ac.uk</a></p> <p>Please add any more that you know about. </p> <p>George </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/teach-a-term-of-psychology-in-sept-2010#post-88 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:56:12 +0000 Beth 88@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>I'm about to go on maternity leave in two weeks and am having a panic as the person my school has employed to cover me in Psychology is only going to be around until October this year, and I'm not planning to return to work until December.</p> <p>I was wondering if anyone is looking for a term of Psychology teaching (2 groups AS, 2 groups A2, doing AQA A spec) in a nice Berkshire secondary school, starting Sept 2010. If you are, let me know and I can pass your details onto my line manager to get in contact with you. Feel like I have to be proactive incase nothing gets sorted out! </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/postgrad-dip-or-bsc#post-84 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:33:23 +0000 Lorca 84@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Decided to take the extra course. Not sure where this puts me for this years round of jobs, but at least I'll have the full title by next xmas. Thanks for replies. </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/life-beyond-a-level#post-82 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:42:46 +0000 Samreen Riaz 82@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>That's a surprise! Psychology courses being offered at Access level instead of A' levels. Thank you for letting us newcomers know...it now offers more scope for FE Psychology teachers, to cover more courses. Great news! </p> http://www.theatp.org/forum/topic/should-i-or-shouldnt-i#post-81 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:31:25 +0000 Samreen Riaz 81@http://www.theatp.org/forum/ <p>Shanems, if you do receive a positive response from one of your attempts to dive straight in to paid teaching, you can also qualify part time. The part-time diploma in teaching is a two-year course that allows you to qualify whilst you work in your desired teaching role. It begins with the PTTLS course.</p> <p>The PGCE is a one year intensive course taught at a slighly more demanding level (Masters level 7) compared to the diploma (taught to you at Level 5 which is similar to any degree). Take your pick and good luck!</p> <p>P.S. Most PGCEs offer you the necessary experience at a given placement, so you don't need to worry about prior experience although it is an added advantage in terms of your confindence. </p>