Welcome to the Electronic Newsletter Version of

Significant Difference

Council of Teachers of Undergraduate Psychology

Volume 8, Number 1, Fall 1997


Message from the President, Mary Allen, California State University-Bakersfield

Welcome to your first electronic CTUP newsletter! If you are reading this, you found your postcard and your way to our Web site. Do check back, as the newsletter now can be updated as we receive new information and announcements! For your CTUP colleagues who do not have Internet access, they may request a hard copy of the newsletter from me.

[Note: Addresses of the Executive Board (national officers and regional representatives) can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.]

New Executive Committee

National CTUP concerns are coordinated by a three-person Executive Committee: a President, President-Elect, and Past President. Officers serve two-year terms in each of these positions. At the APA convention in August, Ken Weaver, Emporia State University, assumed his well-earned role as Past-President, Mary Allen, California State University, Bakersfield, assumed the presidency, and Eric Landrum, Boise State University, joined the Committee as President-Elect. Please feel free to contact them or any of the regional coordinators for information about CTUP and to share your opinions and ideas.

President's Report

Last year the Long-Range Planning Committee (Mary Allen, chair, Jay Brophy, Sue Dutch, Eric Landrum, Pat Mattimore, Ken Weaver, and Theresa Wozencraft) considered options for CTUP and tried to find a solution to our perennial problem: our income does not match our newsletter mailing costs. The Committee created a survey and received 249 responses, about a 20% response rate. [See the survey and question by question results elsewhere in the newsletter. Respondents were 155 men and 94 women, with ages ranging from 25 to 76. Most (nearly 80%) taught at four-year colleges or universities, 15% taught at community colleges, 2% taught at high schools, and the rest were retired or at other sites. Respondents were active in other organizations: 75% belonged to regional associations, 71% belonged to Division 2, 69% were APA members, 51% were APS members, 11% were TOPSS members, and 9% were CUPP members. Opinions varied widely on the various issues covered in the survey, but respondents tended to agree on five issues:

1. They were satisfied with CTUP-sponsored regional events (74% agreed or strongly agreed).
2. They suggested that we handle newsletter mailing costs by moving to electronic newsletter distribution (74% agreed or strongly agreed).
3. They believed CTUP should increase its outreach to high school and community college faculty (63% agreed or strongly agreed).
4. They suggested that CTUP should expand its Web site with more information for psychology teachers (78% agreed or strongly agreed).
5. They did not support increased membership fees to cover our activities (at least 58% recommended against increasing fees to support each suggested activity).

Survey results were reviewed at the CTUP national meeting during the APA convention in Chicago. We were pleased that members are satisfied with our regional programming. Only 2% of the respondents had negative responses to this item. The credit goes to our wonderful regional coordinators and other volunteers who create varied, vibrant regional events. Earlier leaders worked hard to establish CTUP presence at the regionals, and we owe them our gratitude for their perseverance.

The Executive Committee agreed that moving to an electronic newsletter will save CTUP's financial base, but was concerned that members without Internet access would be excluded. Postcards will announce our first electronic newsletter and will invite members to request mailed newsletters if they lack access. CTUP does not want to exclude anyone!

Previous issues of Significant Difference have described strategies for reaching out to high school colleagues, including personal contacts with local teachers, and local, state, regional, and national programs for all who teach psychology. Those who have participated in such events have found them mutually rewarding. On a personal level, college faculty should consider sharing extra copies of texts, journals, and teaching materials with high school faculty in their communities. High school faculty aren't visited by book vendors 'bearing gifts,' don't routinely receive accessory materials for their texts (e.g., overlays, study guides, and teacher's guides), and often are forced to use textbooks that are a decade old. They are experts in motivating the hard-to-reach student and know a lot about pedagogy, so they have much to offer college faculty. At the regional level, we should be sure that high school and community college faculty are encouraged to participate in our programs and to take on leadership roles. CTUP's regional coordinators include many professionally active community college faculty, already, and the Executive Committee hopes to see expanded participation by all members at our annual meeting at the APA convention. (West coast members: the APA convention will be in San Francisco in 1988, so a long trek eastward won't be necessary for you next year.)

Cheryl Rickabaugh, our new Web coordinator, is adapting Jay Brophy's CTUP home page. Many thanks to Jay for getting this going! Cheryl is accumulating and annotating a list of teaching-related links and would appreciate hearing from you if you discover others that should be added. Regional programs, issues, and newsletters will be posted to the home page, so add a bookmark and use it often!

One of the delights of CTUP is its life-time membership fee of $10, and our membership wants to keep it that way. CTUP survives because all of its labor is volunteered, and this is a labor of love. Teaching psychology is a wonderful, challenging career, and CTUP members want to help each other discover the many ways to do it well.

1997 CTUP Survey Results, Ken Weaver, Emporia State University

Over the 1996-1997 academic year, CTUP members were solicited by first-class mail to respond to the survey below. Thank you to the 250 CTUP members around the nation who responded. The results are reported below. The Executive Board and the Long-Range Planning Committee have used the results to help make decisions about CTUP's future direction, and the database will continue to be a source of valuable information. Also, the first-class mailing gave CTUP a great opportunity to update the membership mailing list.

Please provide this demographic information:

1. Gender:
155 men; 95 women
2. Age:
M = 48.02; SD = 8.91; median = 49; mode = 52
3. Approximate number of years membership in CTUP: _____
M = 6.69; SD = 5.27; median = 5; mode = 10
4. Current teaching position:
6 high school
36 community college
198 four-year college or university
6 other
4 retired
5. Involvement in CTUP activities (check all that apply):
176 have attended CTUP events at a regional convention
227 have read the CTUP newsletter
74 have attended CTUP-sponsored events at a national convention
86 have been on the program at a CTUP-sponsored event
38 have organized or led a CTUP-sponsored event
20 have been a CTUP officer
6. Other professional organizations to which you belong:
173 APA
127 APS
22 CUPP
177 Division Two
188 regional psychology association (EPA, WPA, etc.)
27 TOPSS
Please respond to the following statements using this scale:
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Uncertain
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
1. I am satisfied with CTUP-sponsored events at my regional convention.
Strongly Disagree = 3
Disagree = 3
Uncertain = 55
Agree = 91
Strongly Agree = 77
2. CTUP should focus its efforts only on programs for regional conventions.
Strongly Disagree = 22
Disagree = 61
Uncertain = 87
Agree = 44
Strongly Agree = 17
3. CTUP should expand its efforts beyond programs for regional conventions.
Strongly Disagree = 5
Disagree = 41
Uncertain = 95
Agree = 57
Strongly Agree = 26
4. CTUP should handle newsletter mailing costs by:
a. canceling the newsletter.
Strongly Disagree = 166
Disagree = 39
Uncertain = 18
Agree = 8
Strongly Agree = 5
b. moving to electronic newsletter distribution.
Strongly Disagree = 33
Disagree = 8
Uncertain = 20
Agree = 82
Strongly Agree = 94
c. charging an annual subscription fee to cover mailing costs.
Strongly Disagree = 59
Disagree = 40
Uncertain = 44
Agree = 54
Strongly Agree = 39
d. only distributing newsletters at regional conventions.
Strongly Disagree = 141
Disagree = 52
Uncertain = 25
Agree = 15
Strongly Agree = 3
5. CTUP should become more involved in state programs for psychology teachers.
Strongly Disagree = 12
Disagree = 24
Uncertain = 87
Agree = 78
Strongly Agree = 29
6. CTUP should become more involved in national programs for psychology teachers.
Strongly Disagree = 15
Disagree = 22
Uncertain = 90
Agree = 76
Strongly Agree = 25
7. CTUP should increase its outreach to high school and community college psychology instructors.
Strongly Disagree = 3
Disagree = 16
Uncertain = 67
Agree = 90
Strongly Agree = 56
8. CTUP should be involved in
a. sponsoring state-wide teaching conferences.
Disagree = 22
Strongly Disagree = 39
Uncertain = 51
Agree = 80
Strongly Agree = 43
b. sponsoring national teaching conferences.
Strongly Disagree = 48
Disagree = 40
Uncertain = 53
Agree = 67
Strongly Agree = 27
c. developing an expanded web site with information for psychology teachers.
Strongly Disagree = 9
Disagree = 10
Uncertain = 32
Agree = 80
Strongly Agree = 105
d. expanding the content of our newsletter.
Strongly Disagree = 25
Disagree = 17
Uncertain = 77
Agree = 80
Strongly Agree = 36
e. publishing a teaching-related, peer-reviewed journal.
Strongly Disagree = 71
Disagree = 31
Uncertain = 54
Agree = 48
Strongly Agree = 30
f. moderating a listserv (Internet discussion list) on teaching issues.
Strongly Disagree = 36
Disagree = 25
Uncertain = 53
Agree = 76
Strongly Agree = 42
g. organizing formal mentoring programs for psychology faculty.
Strongly Disagree = 42
Disagree = 29
Uncertain = 75
Agree = 62
Strongly Agree = 24
h. conducting national surveys on teaching-related issues.
Strongly Disagree = 36
Disagree = 23
Uncertain = 58
Agree = 81
Strongly Agree = 33
9. Using item numbers 5, 6, and 7, and letters from item 8, which of the expanded programs would you be willing to financially support with an annual fee?
5. More dollars for state programs 61
6. More dollars for national programs 42
7. More dollars for outreach to high school 47
8a. More dollars for state teaching programs 62
8b. More dollars for national teaching conference 45
8c. More dollars for developing web site 73
8d. More dollars for expanding newsletter coverage 50
8e. More dollars for publishing journal 48
8f. More dollars for moderating listserv 40
8g. More dollars for mentoring program 39
8h. More dollars for national survey of teachers 36

Thank you to Ken Weaver for coordinating the survey and tabulating the results!

CTUP Business Meeting Highlights

The balance in the treasury as of June 30, 1996 was $3,255.23. Income was accrued via 37 new memberships ($370.00) and $48.13 in bank interest. Expenses for the year ending June 1997 were: California non-profit organization fees ($10.00), 1997 APA meeting room ($50.00), Newsletter mailing reimbursement ($150.00), first-class mailing of survey ($530.00), prize monies paid for 1995 membership contest ($425.00), and bank fees ($1.00). The balance as of June 30, 1997 was $2,507.36.

Division Two's OTRP Unveils New $1500 Instructional Research Awards For 1998

APA Divison Two's Office of Teaching Resources in Psychology (OTRP) has a new program whose purpose is to give away money! The Instructional Research Awards [IRA] Task Force will be giving two to three $1500.00 IRAs in 1998 to applicants whose instructional research projects best fulfill the programs twofold purpose of (1) encouraging and rewarding instructional research relevant to the teaching of psychology and (2) stimulating the development of teaching-related materials [e.g., a bibliography, a set of guidelines, a checklist, a set of instructions, etc.] that could be disseminated by the Society's OTRP. We anticipate a February 1st application deadline, a March 31st decision, and a September 1st project completion date. Application guidelines and program details will be available after November 1st. For information or forms, contact:

Margaret A. Lloyd
Executive Director, OTRP
Psychology Department
P. O. Box 8041
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460-8041
Telephone (912) 681-5423
FAX (912) 681-0751
email: mlloyd@gasou.edu

CTUP Regional Convention Information

EASTERN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
February 27-March 1, 1998, Boston Copley Place Marriott, Boston, MA

The traditional CTUP program at EPA includes a panel discussion on a topic of interest to its members, an activities exchange, a conversation with a prominent teacher, a social affair, and a business meeting. If you have a suggestion or comment or would like to contribute to the program, please write or call the CTUP EPA coordinators listed below. We encourage all members to take part and would especially like to learn of program preferences.

Conference Contact: Gary M. Brosvic
Department of Psychology
Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 895-5437
CTUP Coordinators: Bill Cheney
Community College of Rhode Island
400 East Avenue
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 825-2258
Bob Keefer
Mt. Saint Mary's College
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 447-5394
keefer@msmary.edu
NEW ENGLAND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
October 24-25, 1997, Stonehill College, North Easton, MA

Conference Contact: Estelle R. Friedman

Secretary, New England Psychological Association
419 Norton Parkway
New Haven, CT 06511-2828
CTUP Coordinators: Bill Cheney
Community College of Rhode Island
400 East Avenue
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 825-2258
Bob Keefer
Mt. Saint Mary's College
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 447-5394
keefer@msmary.edu
MIDWESTERN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
April 30-May 2, 1998, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IL

Tentative Symposia:

"Teaching Portfolios: Conceptualizing, Constructing, Mentoring, and Evaluating"
"Gender and the Psychology Major"
"Strategies for Departmental Self-Study"
"Opportunities Outside the Classroom"

The Creative Classroom: The Midwestern CTUP region invites you to submit a proposal for "The Creative Classroom," a CTUP-sponsored poster session scheduled for Saturday, May 2. This is an opportunity for teaching psychologists to learn and share successful teaching techniques and methods that enhance teaching and learning in psychology courses. To propose a poster topic for The Creative Classroom, please submit the information listed below no later than November 8, 1997 to: Donna Dahlgren, Department of Psychology, Indiana University Southeast, 4201 Grantline Road, New Albany, IN 47150; email:mailto:ddahlgre@iusmail.ius.indiana.edu.

1. The title of the proposed poster.
2. Author name and address including phone number and email address.
3. Description of the teaching technique.
4. Type of course and audience for which this technique is intended.
5. Qualitative or Quantitative evidence of the effectiveness of the technique.
6. Information regarding the constraints for the use of this technique (i.e., class sizes, necessary materials, etc.)

Authors do NOT have to be members of CTUP. Please include two self-addressed, stamped postcards in your submission packet.

Conference Contact: Norbert L. Kerr
Department of Psychology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 353-9755
CTUP Coordinators: Randall E. Osborne
Department of Psychology
Indiana University East
2325 Chester Blvd.
Richmond, IN 47374
(765) 973-8445
reosborn@indiana.edu
R. Eric Landrum
Department of Psychology
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 385-1993
elandru@bsu.idbsu.edu
ROCKY MOUNTAIN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
April 16-19, 1998, Albuquerque Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel, Albuquerque, NM
Joint meeting with the Western Psychological Association

In addition to the sessions planned by WPA, RMPA will host a teaching take out, paper and poster sessions on teaching issues, an invited address by Stephen F. Davis entitled "Academic Dishonesty: Current Status, Athletes and Cheating, Cross-Cultural Findings." Also, RMPA will be hosting a symposium on "Student and Faculty Perspectives on the Ethical Responsibilities of Faculty". Finally, "Psych Follies" a humorous look at psychology by Mitch Handelsman and Joe Palladino, will be co-hosted by RMPA and WPA.

CTUP Teaching Activities Exchange

WPA, RMPA, and CTUP will again organize the CTUP Teaching Activities Exchange. The purpose of this poster session is to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of innovative ideas that are of interest to those concerned with quality teaching.

Please note the following when submitting a proposal to the CTUP Teaching Exchange:

Conference Contacts: Rick Miller and Bill Wozniak
Department of Psychology
University of Nebraska-Kearney
Kearney, NE 68849
(308) 234-8235
miller@platte.unk.edu
CTUP Coordinator: Rick Miller
Department of Psychology
University of Nebraska-Kearney
Kearney, NE 68849
(308) 865-8235
miller@platte.unk.edu
SOUTHEASTERN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
March 25-28, 1998, Adam's Mark Hotel, Mobile, AL

The CTUP program will feature both program ideas and teaching demonstrations. Members are encouraged to submit program suggestions or demonstrations or other creative ideas to the regional coordinator.

Conference Contact: Frances Y. Dunham
Department of Psychology
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL 32514
(904) 474-2070
CTUP Coordinator: Jay Brophy
Department of Psychology
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 32816
Brophy@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
SOUTHWESTERN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
April 9-11, 1998, New Orleans, LA

Conference Contact: Randall D. Wight
Department of Psychology
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR 71998-0001
(501) 245-5107
wight@alpha.obu.edu
CTUP Coordinators: Theresa A. Wozencraft
Department of Psychology
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX 76308-2099
(817) 689-4718
ykpa40a@prodigy.com
Marilyn Pugh
Department of Psychology
Texas Wesleyan University
1201 Wesleyan Street
Ft. Worth, TX 76105-1536
(817) 531-4955
WESTERN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
April 16-19, 1998, Albuquerque Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel, Albuquerque, NM
Joint meeting with the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association

Poster session submissions are made to the WPA office in response to the regular call for proposals. "Psych Follies" a humorous look at psychology by Mitch Handelsman and Joe Palladino, will be co-hosted by WPA and RMPA.

Conference Contact: Donald E. Pannen
WPA Executive Officer
5929 Westgate Blvd., Suite C
Tacoma, WA 98406
(206) 752-9838
pannen.wpa@worldnet.att.net
CTUP Coordinators: Bob Johnson
Department of Psychology
Umpqua Community College
Roseberg, OR 97470
(541) 440-4678
bjohnson@rosenet.net
Judy Farrell
Department of Psychology
Moorpark College
7075 Campus Road
Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 378-1400, ext. 1654


Council of Teachers of Undergraduate Psychology

1997-1998 Executive Board


President President-Elect Past President
Mary Allen
Department of Psychology
9001 Stockdale Highway
Cal. St. Univ.-Bakersfield
(805) 664-2366
Fax: (805) 664-2132
Mallen@csubak.edu
Eric Landrum
Department of Psychology
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 385-1993
Fax: 208) 385-4386
Elandru@bsu.idbsu.edu
Ken Weaver
Department of Psychology
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS 66801-5087
(316) 341-5317
Fax: (316) 341-5785
Weaverke@esumail.emporia.edu

Regional Coordinators


Eastern and New England

Bill Cheney
Community College of Rhode Island
400 East Avenue
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 825-2258

Bob Keefer
Mt. Saint Mary's College
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 447-5394
keefer@msmary.edu
Midwestern

Randall E. Osborne
Indiana University East
2325 Chester Blvd.
Richmond, IN 47374
(765) 973-8445
reosborn@indiana.edu

R. Eric Landrum
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 385-1993
elandru@bsu.idbsu.edu
Southwestern

Theresa A. Wozencraft
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX 76308-2099
(817) 689-4718
mailto:ykpa40a@prodigy.com

Marilyn Pugh
Texas Wesleyan University
1201 Wesleyan Street
Ft. Worth, TX 76105-1536
(817) 531-4955

Rocky Mountain

Rick Miller
University of Nebraska-Kearney
Kearney, NE 68849
(308) 865-8235
miller@platte.unk.edu
Southeastern

Jay Brophy
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 32816
Brophy@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Western

Bob Johnson
Umpqua Community College
Roseberg, OR 97470
(541) 440-4678
bjohnson@rosenet.net

Judy Farrell
Moorpark College
7075 Campus Road
Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 378-1400, ext. 1654

CTUP Web Coordinator

Cheryl A. Rickabaugh
Department of Psychology
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA 92373-0999
(909) 793-2121, ext. 3866
rickabau@uor.edu
CTUP High School Liaison

Patrick Mattimore
South San Francisco High School
400 B. Street
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(415) 877-8754
psychout@msn.com

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