General Psychology Teaching Apprentice Information for Fall 2005
I am looking for a few eager, dedicated, hard-working, intelligent undergraduate students to
participate in an exciting educational adventure. Next semester, I will be teaching a large lecture section
of General Psychology using teaching apprentices. The class will meet twice a week (9:30 MW) as a
large lecture in BH 101. The third meeting will occur in several small sections of about 20 students led
by a teaching apprentice. The TA’s job will be to present that day’s new material and review old
material in whatever way he/she feels would be most effective. In our staff meetings we will discuss and
develop teaching techniques, and I will observe each apprentice’s class one or two sessions. It is
excellent experience for anyone considering a teaching or helping career or going to grad school in
psychology or a related field.
You should have a strong psychology course background, be a good student yourself (e.g., GPA
3.0 or better), but especially must be dedicated to helping others learn. Those selected will receive four
hours of academic credit for their efforts (PSYCH 400: Teaching Practicum). Textbooks and office
space will be provided. This will take a lot of time, though; don't apply out of a desire for easy hours. I
need people dedicated to improving undergrad teaching, as well as developing their own skills.
Duties
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Have full responsibility for teaching a section of about 20 General Psychology students one hour
per week (various times Thursday or Friday). This includes class preparation and delivery. There
will be some new material to be presented, plus some opportunity for review. It is up to you to
decide what techniques to use (lecture, discussion, small groups, demonstrations, etc.).
Attend teaching apprentice staff meetings weekly (M 2:30). We will be working as a team.
Attend class lectures twice weekly (MW 9:30).
Write, administer, and grade occasional quizzes.
Grade a few reaction papers.
Read and respond to weekly student journals.
Be available for students seeking help.
Observe fellow TAs' classes a few times.
Help with demonstrations, etc., in lecture.
Lead a pre-exam review session.
Still interested? Pick up an application form from my office (421 Bluemont) or by printing one off the
Psi Chi website at http://www.k-state.edu/psichi/news1.html. This can be a really exciting educational
experience for you and for the students you teach.
Richard J. Harris
Professor of Psychology
General Psychology Teaching Apprentice Application
(Due to Dr. Harris by Monday, March 5, 2007)
Name:
Major:
Local Address:
Expected Graduation Date and Degree:
Phone:
Cumulative GP A:
E-mail:
Social Security #:
Psychology and related courses taken, including this semester:
Other relevant experience (e.g., teaching or research experience, relevant summer jobs or extracurricular
activities):
About how many hours of classes do you plan to take next semester?
Will you have a part-time job next semester? If so, how many hours per week and when?
What are your post-graduation plans (if known)?
Name of two or more academic and/or character references:
Note: For any present member of the KSU Psychology Department the name will suffice, though I may later
ask for a written recommendation. Please ask other references to write me a letter about your general
reliability, leadership ability, interest in people, or whatever you feel might be relevant. Submitting this
application does not commit you to accept an offer to be an apprentice. I will interview each applicant
individually first. Accepting an offer does constitute a commitment, however.
On the back of this sheet, please write why you would like to be a Teaching Apprentice.