What is the most effective way of helping students come to terms with the key issues in psychology?

The answer to the question is simple: for the students to undertake activities relating to the topics that they are studying. Topics which they may have touched on in everyday life, but which they have never considered in terms of academic study.

Through such activities the students can engage in independent learning, develop their application skills and evaluation skills, and judge their own progress using the success criteria linked to examiner comments and the skills needed at each level.

Six separate areas are covered within this resource: memory, attachments, research methods, stress, individual differences, and social influence. The resource concludes with a set of wide-ranging revision activities.

By way of example, the memory section of the resource starts with a list of key authorities within the field so that students can gain a historical perspective. Second there is a review of models of memory and a link to the exam requirements in this area – plus a task to be completed.

We then move on to improving memory and finally there is a balloon debate activity which covers authoritative researchers in the field of cognitive psychology.

A similar level of depth is covered through each of the other topics, after which there is a set of revision activities.

There are sample pages at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/authordownloadsamples/T1817samples.pdf

25 Activities for AQA (A) AS Psychology is published as a download so that you can immediately receive a copy onto your computer, from which you can print out pages for colleagues and students as often as you want. You can also put it on your school learning platform so all staff can access the document – and indeed you can make it part of the induction documentation for new members of staff.

You can obtain 25 Activities for AQA (A) AS Psychology by going to http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=787

The price is £10 plus VAT (the VAT can be reclaimed in most cases by the school).

25 Activities for AQA (A) AS Psychology is published by First and Best in Education, part of the Hamilton House group. If you have any enquiries you can call 01536 399 011, or email sales@firstandbest.co.uk or write to us at First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH.

The full range of First and Best books can be seen at www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk

First and Best in Education
Earlstrees Road
Corby
UK
NN17 4HH

Website: www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk
Email: sales@firstandbest.co.uk

For students who may be considering working in healthcare and medicine, Gap Medics can help.

We offer students (aged 16 and over) hospital work experience opportunities to see what the world of medicine is really like.

Through our facilities students under the age of 18 can travel to Morogoro and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and students over the age of 18 can travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand and Iringa, Tanzania.

At these various locations the students will shadow experienced doctors and healthcare professionals in busy hospitals, learning about the day-to-day life of a doctor and everything it entails.

Students will be placed in a different department each week according to their personal interests and will be assigned their own doctor who will act as their personal mentor during their placement.

The various departments that students can choose to work in include general surgery, paediatrics, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine and many more.

Not only will their time be spent on the busy wards and in the operating theatre, but they will also be able to attend global health tutorials. These are run by medical experts to give students a greater insight into healthcare in the region where they are working.

This once in a lifetime experience helps students to make the right decision about their future career, but it is also a useful addition later on for their applications to medical school.

In terms of the practicalities, students are met at the airport by one of our specialist staff team members and are looked after by an extensive staff team throughout their stay.

If you have any students who are interested in a career in medicine, please ask them to take a look at www.gapmedics.co.uk.

Alternatively they can call us on 0191 230 8080 or email us at info@gapmedics.com and we’ll send them a brochure in the post.

Regards

Samantha Bennett
Student Placement Team Leader

Do you think your confidence is linked to:

• Your level of insanity?
• A ‘can do’ attitude’?
• A simple, balanced and practical approach – as with all teaching and learning?
• The quality of your anorak?

The truth is, we can relate to all those answers (well maybe not the insanity one).

The perception of outdoor teaching and learning is often one of planning for hours, needing to source specialist resources, including suitable clothing for all your children, and a risk assessment as long as your arm. By the time you’ve thought of all the ‘extras’ you’ve given up on the idea.

So how can we teach outdoors more regularly without it taking an inordinate amount of planning time – thereby using our immediate school grounds more effectively and frequently?

These were the underpinning questions that have informed our outdoor learning packs:

• 100 Ideas for Outdoor Literacy Folder

• 100 Ideas for Outdoor Numeracy booklet

• Starters for Thinking Outdoors Pack.

Each offers ideas for teaching and learning outdoors in active, playful ways but in the knowledge that important literacy and numeracy objectives are being addressed. All this can take place right outside the classroom, and only basic resources are ever needed.

What better way to ensure that children enjoy the benefits of learning outdoors on a more frequent basis?

Better still, you can now buy all three packs together with our ‘OUTDOOR COMBO’ offer – all three for just £110 (plus VAT).

Invoices can be raised for UK schools – use the INVOICE button on the website.

Email: info@thinkingchild.org.uk

You can Fax an order: 01604 570773

Or simply pick up the phone 01604 491511 for a chat.

Yours sincerely

Sue Dixon
sue@thinkingchild.org.uk