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interest。 The best way to establish your intellectual authority is through establishing an open；
democratically run class； not an authoritarian one。
SUMMARY： TEN TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL
TEACHING
For most students； the introductory psychology course will be the only psychology course they will ever
take。 While a good text and helpful ancillaries certainly contribute to a successful introductory course； the
teacher often makes the difference between a bad and a good class or between a good class and an
outstanding one。 Personal variables–such as the respect you show for the subject matter； the concern you
show for students’ understanding of psychology； and the care with which you prepare your class
presentations–are critical factors that will influence your students’ impressions of psychology throughout
the term and beyond。 Your classroom behavior also has important practical implications； because it
determines whether some of your students enroll in other psychology classes or bee psychology majors。
In sum； you are a representative of psychology as both a science and career； and as such； your actions reflect
the field’s professional values and standards。 Below are ten tips for teaching introductory psychology。
BE PREPARED
There is simply no substitute for knowing your subject matter。 Contrary to popular opinion； introductory
students are very perceptive。 A teacher who is ill prepared to discuss the subject material or to field
students’ questions will soon be discovered； resulting in large…scale student apathy。 Beyond knowledge of
the subject matter； it is also important to schedule enough time for adequate preparation。 A teacher
cramming for a presentation is likely to meet with the same result as a student cramming for an
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examination—failure。 If you plan to use audiovisual aids； get to class a few minutes early to ensure the
equipment is working properly； the slides are right side up； the microphone is working properly； etc。
Students resent your taking class time for such preparation； their time is as valuable as yours—make sure it
is used for teaching purposes and not your last…minute preparation。 Similarly； it is unwise to use class time
for a bull session because you are not adequately prepared to lecture。 Your presentations should always be
substantive and informative。
KNOW YOUR STUDENTS
Most students appreciate and； indeed； wele personal contact with their instructors。 You may wish to
arrive a few minutes early to class each day and visit with the students present。 You will bee more
familiar and fortable with them； and they will bee more familiar and fortable with you。 The
more fortable students feel with you； the more likely they will be to make valuable contributions to class
discussions。 Beyond knowing some （hopefully most） of your students personally； be aware of campus and
local issues that concern students。 This allows you to incorporate those examples in classroom
presentations in a meaningful way。 Other than the students themselves； the best sources of information on
these matters are the campus and local newspapers。
BE HONEST
Students appreciate instructors who keep their word with respect to course policies and class assignments。
If your office hours are from 10 to 12 on Tuesdays and Thursdays； be there。 If an emergency arises； leave a
note to that effect on the door。 Follow through on your promises to bring in outside material。 Your credibility
as a teacher will be enhanced。
ACCEPT CRITICISM
Each time a new teaching term begins； you acquire a new set of critics。 Students may evaluate your style of
dress； your manner of speaking； your sense of humor； and a variety of other elements that may or may not
relate to your ability to convey information about introductory psychology。 If only one or two students make
similar criticisms； you may or may not want to take the criticism seriously。 If； however； several students
have similar criticisms； you should heed their advice and address their criticisms。
BE RESPECTFUL
Students like everyone else appreciate being treated with mon courtesy and respect。 Say “hello” when
you pass students in the hall； and respond to in…class questions with openness and respect。 Disrespect is a
sure way to put cool distance between you and your students。
KEEP YOUR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION SIMPLE
In addition to having a sound understanding of the subject matter； it is important to know your audience。
Your presentations should be geared to their level。 Build your lecture around four or five major points and
use plenty of thoughtful and representative examples。
BE ENTHUSIASTIC
Your level of enthusiasm for the subject matter will be obvious on the first day of class and will determine
the tone for the entire term。 More important； your attitude will have a strong influence on your students’
attitudes about the course。 Your enthusiasm for psychology can make even the driest topic palatable。
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ESTABLISH COURSE OBJECTIVES
What is it that you wish to acplish in your class？ What kinds of knowledge should your students
possess at the end of the term？ How do you plan to achieve your goals？ These are essential questions to
ask while organizing your syllabus。 Once you have provided answers to these questions； put them on the
first page of your syllabus。 Filling students in on the class objectives and your plans for meeting them
allows the students to prepare better for your class presentations； discussions； and examinations。
BE PATIENT
As teachers； we have neither the time nor the energy to do everything for our students。 We must place the
responsibility for their understanding of introductory psychology squarely on their shoulders–after we
have done our part to expose them to the knowledge we possess。 Some students will catch on quickly；
others more slowly； and still others； perhaps never。 In any case； patience is a virtue； students must be given
the opportunity to succeed or fail on their own。
BE CORDIAL
Students appreciate an instructor who is approachable。 Let your students know that you are genuinely
interested in seeing them succeed and that you wele their questions and ments。 However； be
forewarned： Being too “chummy” with your students may create special problems （e。g。； students may
develop inaccurate expectations of the difficulty of the course or the quality of their course performance）。
Some students may bring personal or family problems to you and expect your help。 If the situation warrants
more than a friendly ear； refer the student to an appropriate clinician or counselor。
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PSYCHOLOGY AND LIFE； 16th Edition
Instructor’s Manual
WHY READ THIS INSTRUCTOR’S MANUAL？
Why should you read and ultimately make use of this Instructor’s Manual？ There are two simple reasons。
First； this manual will make you a better； more passionate teacher。 No matter how long you have been
teaching； your students will learn more； will have more fun； and will leave your class inspired about
psychology by your teaching。 Teaching more effectively will also inspire