Abstract
Students in large, lecture-based introductory psychology classes often do not have the benefit of experiential learning (EL) opportunities due to logistical constraints. To overcome this obstacle, we developed an EL project in which introductory psychology students in small groups present some aspect of the course material to local elementary school classes. The project challenges undergraduate students to demonstrate a deep level of understanding of the presentation material. Such depth of understanding enables them to flexibly communicate material in an age-appropriate manner to kindergarten through 5th-grade students. Feedback results from undergraduate students, elementary school students, and teachers demonstrated that this project supported learning outcomes in undergraduates in a positive and enjoyable way for both student groups.
Notes
1Additional procedural details and results can be found at http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/psych/faculty/gary/sts/index.html.
1. Gretchen J. van der Linden is now at the School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
2. This project could not have happened without the support of Northfield elementary school principals Scott Sannes (Sibley Elementary), Nancy Antoine (Bridgewater Elementary), and David Craft (Greenvale Park Elementary); former principals Diane Kinneberg, Julie Nielsen, and Jeff Roland; and the many teachers who participated. Dan Forstner, Department of Education, St. Olaf College, has provided advice and assistance for the project in addition to invaluable guest lecturing on presenting to elementary school-age children. Natalie Wall, Reference Librarian, St. Olaf College, has presented an information literacy class to help students find sources in the library to prepare them for finding the references required for students' presentation paper. The class TAs who assisted in implementing the project were Katie Johnson, Elizabeth “Biz” Mills, Kristyn Aasen, Brian McCormick, Rachel Varland, Laura Dingley, Hännah Thiesen, Laura Barnard, Gretchen van der Linden, Kirsten Meyer, Abby Hughes, Vanessa Brown, and Shannon Thornblad.
3. Portions of this article were presented at the Innovations in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at the Liberal Arts Colleges conference (February 2007) in Northfield, MN.