Oklahoma Teaching of Psychology Conference set for Stillwater

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Individuals involved in the teaching of psychology in Oklahoma are invited to the 7th annual meeting of the Oklahoma Network for the Teaching of Psychology (ONTOP) set for Friday, Sept. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. All talks will take place in the Student Union and lunch will be provided in the Starlight Terrace.

“The conference is the only professional development opportunity in our state specifically for teachers of psychology,” said Shelia Kennison, founder and co-director of ONTOP and professor of psychology at OSU.  “It is our 7th year, which indicates that the conference is playing an important role in meeting the needs of teachers in our region.” 

The conference keynote presentation will feature Hall Beck from Appalachian State University, who was assisted by students in solving one of the biggest mysteries in psychology; the discovery of the true identity of Little Albert, a research participant from a classic study from the 1930s.

The conference will also feature Kirk Smalley, a father from Perkins who appeared in the film Bully. His son tragically committed suicide after enduring bullying at school.

Other speakers include Dwight Krehbiel from Bethel College, who will talk about how instructors can obtained  funds from the National Science Foundation to support student research, Laura Gruntmeir from Redlands Community College who will talk about how instructors can infuse research activities in introductory psychology, and a group presentation about multicultural pedagogy led by Rockey Robbins from University of Oklahoma and Steve Harrist from Oklahoma State University. There will also be a poster session featuring projects designed to improve classroom teaching and/or learning activities.

“ONTOP plays an important role in preparing future faculty, as it attracts many graduate students who are either currently teaching undergraduate classes or who are planning to teach college courses in the future,” said Sue C. Jacobs, co-director of ONTOP and the Ledbetter Lemon  Endowed Counseling Psychology Diversity Professor.

Oklahoma has over 40 institutions of higher education where psychology is taught. There are also numerous high schools offering psychology as a social studies elective. Some high schools also offer psychology as an advanced placement course.

OSU has one of the few Preparing Future Faculty in Psychology programs in the nation. Honoring the mission of OSU as a Land-Grant university, OSU PFF partners with colleges and universities throughout Oklahoma. It is co-directed by Jacobs and Kennison.

The event is open to the public.  Registration is $25 for students and $40 for nonstudents if registration is paid by September 12th.  Lunch is provided to all those who register by this date. Registration after September 12 as well as on-site on the 20th is $35 for students and $55 for nonstudents and does not guarantee a lunch.  Continuing education credits are available for licensed psychologists.  For more information, contact sue.c.jacobs@okstate.edu. More information about ONTOP and how to register online can be found at http://ontop.okstate.edu.