Psychology faculty attends national conference; Pickens’ work singled out for research quality

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Four members of the Department of Psychology at Thiel College, a leading private liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, presented at the four-day 40th annual National Institute for the Teaching of Psychology on Jan. 2-6 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Faculty members Shannon Len Deets, Ph.D., Kristel, M. Gallagher, Ph.D., Natalie L. Homa, Ph.D., and Laura R.G. Pickens, Ph.D.’06 were among the 375 attendees at the event. The institute is the premier national venue to present work on the scholarship of teaching and learning. The conference focused on the development of the teaching of psychology and updated Psychology faculty members on the latest trends in teaching and research, connected them with professional peers, and served as a resource to further their growth as teachers and scholars. The conference offered a wide range of workshops, general sessions with keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, a teaching “slam”, a “demo demo” session, participant idea exchanges, and a large range of networking opportunities. Each psychology faculty member delivered posters that dealt with the scholarship of teaching and learning:

• Deets: Course Share: Dancing Mindfulness and Depth Psychology
• Gallagher: “If you build it, they will learn" – Beads and Biopsychology in an Introductory Psychology Course
• Homa: Incorporating Service Learning: Not a One Size Fits All Approach
• Pickens: When is the Best Time to Give a Moodle Quiz? An Exploration of Quiz Timing Strategies and its Impact on Student Success

Pickens’ poster presentation was awarded the NITOP Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award. The award is given for the poster judged by the Organizing Committee based on:

• the importance of the research question addressed;
• the soundness of the research methodology employed;
• the use of appropriate qualitative and/or statistical analyses; and
• the clarity with which the implications of the research finding for teaching and learning are expressed.

The trip was made possible by a Thiel Faculty Development Grant.

Related Link

• Department of Psychology

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About Thiel College

Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.