August 5-9, 2024

Detailed information

Psychology

Taught by Jeff Norby

Description

The revised Course and Exam Description (CED) will take effect in the fall of 2024. This summer is a great time to get acquainted with the new course expectations!

All changes related to the new CED and AP Psychology course will be addressed in this session.

  • Reauthorizing your course in the online audit system (all teachers must do this year)
  • Converting your course from the previous nine units to the new five-unit system
  • Understanding how EBQ and ABQ questions have taken the place of FR Questions
  • Understanding how “scientific practices” are now woven into the fabric of the course
  • New exam format with fewer multiple-choice questions
  • The role of argumentation in the new AP® Psychology curriculum

The new CED and changes to the course will be the focal point of our week!

In addition to matters of the new CED (exam question styles, content inclusion/exclusion, etc.), time will be devoted to specific teaching techniques, strategies, and lessons for each of the 5 specific content areas (e.g., Learning & Development, Cognition). For each area, teachers can expect to leave with no fewer than six NEW (not seen before) ideas, lessons, spins, or jams – along with “gold standards” that will prove the sine qua non of the AP Psychology toolbox. That’s 30-40 fewer lesson “days” to prep and a reduction in anxiety that’s hard to quantify.

Materials needed

  • A computer (phone’s or I-pads will likely not be enough for full participation)
  • Access to high speed, dependable internet connection
  • If possible, a copy of the textbook you will be using in the upcoming year
  • Creation of an AP® Central account (if possible)
  • Access to College Board Materials which will be provided by the Institute
  • Consider bringing a favorite lesson, review, assessment, demonstration you have found useful in the classroom, even if the idea was created for a different subject, that you are willing to share for the benefit of the group.

Objectives

  1. Participants will understand how the Curriculum and Exam Description (CED) aligns with day-to-day classroom activities.
  2. Participants will be able to navigate AP Central in order to access the resources provided for both students and instructors.
  3. Both new and experienced instructors will align their curriculum to cover the nine units outlined in the AP® Psychology Course Description.
  4. All participants will complete a pacing guide for the upcoming academic school year.
  5. Instructors will understand the scope and sequence of the AP® curriculum and will have an opportunity to delve deeply into a number of units to explore best practices, assessments techniques, challenging topics and available resources.
  6. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of the expectations for writing and grading free-response questions and strategies for covering and later assessing multiple-choice question on the AP® exam.
  7. Participants will be able to implement strategies during the course of the academic year that prepare students for both the free-response and multiple-choice section of the AP® exam.
  8. Participants will understand the opportunities for interleaving material throughout multiple chapter of the course for increased students practice and learning.
  9. Participants will develop a network of psychology instructors with whom they can continue to develop relevant materials for the AP® Psychology course.
  10. Participants will be prepared to take on the AP® Psychology course with their students in the fall.

Course requirements

This course will be delivered 100% online and will require participants to have internet connection from the hours of 8:00am-3:00pm Pacific from the dates of August 5-August 9. Each day participants will be expected to attend synchronous sessions and be active with course activities during daily asynchronous sessions. All synchronous sessions will be held via Zoom, and all asynchronous materials will be found on Google Classroom.

Schedule

  • Monday, Day 1
    • Theme: Course Structure & Organization
    • 8:00am-10:15am - Synchronous
    • Course Introduction/Welcome
    • The CED, Sequence, & Pacing
    • 10:15-11:30am - Asynchronous activities
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
    • 11:30am-1:45pm - Synchronous
    • Content Area #1: Research Methods
    • Content Area #2: Statistics
    • 1:45pm-3:00pm - Asynchronous work
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
  • Tuesday, Day 2
    • Theme: Reading & Writing in AP® Psychology
    • 8:00am-10:15am - Synchronous
    • Free-Response Writing
    • Coaching
    • 10:15-11:30am - Asynchronous activities
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
    • 11:30am-1:45pm - Synchronous
    • Content Area #3: Biological Psychology
    • Content Area #4: Sensation & Perception
    • 1:45pm-3:00pm - Asynchronous work
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
  • Wednesday, Day 3
    • Theme: Active Learning Strategies
    • 8:00am-10:15am - Synchronous
    • AP® Audit
    • AP® Classroom
    • Technologies for Teaching
    • 10:15-11:30am - Asynchronous activities
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
    • 11:30am-1:45pm - Synchronous
    • Content Area #4: Cognitive Psychology (Memory, Thinking, & Language)
    • 1:45pm-3:00pm - Asynchronous work
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
  • Thursday, Day 4
    • Theme: Equity, Access, & Program Growth
    • 8:00am-10:15am - Synchronous
    • Equity, Access, & Growth in AP® Programs
    • Creation of Student Work/Exam Prep
    • 10:15-11:30am - Asynchronous activities
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
    • 11:30am-1:45pm - Synchronous
    • Content Area #6: Lifespan Development
    • 1:45pm-3:00pm - Asynchronous work
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
  • Friday, Day 5
    • Theme: Anxiety Reduction & Fall Readiness
    • 8:00am-10:15am - Synchronous
    • Content Area #7: Social Psychology
    • 10:15-11:30am - Asynchronous activities
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session
    • 11:30am-1:45pm - Synchronous
    • TBD
    • Last, Best, & Most Important Questions for the Group
    • 1:45pm-3:00pm - Asynchronous work
    • Required activities be assigned during the synchronous session