Digital Learning Department

Psychology is known as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Since it’s formal founding in the late 19th century many theories and schools of psychology have developed. In this course you will be asked to look at many aspects of psychology. Throughout the course you will create Power Point slide shows, contribute to On-line discussions, write essays and reviews, take surveys, and complete investigations.

This course helps meet the state minimum requirements of 2.5 Social Studies credits in addition it may be used to meet the 5.5 minimum elective credits. Please check with your district for more specific requirements.

State Standards and Learning Expectations

Objectives stated within course lessons. Washington State Standards guided the design of the course. Learning expectations are found within the course itself.

Reading EALR 1: The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.
1.1 Use word recognition skills and strategies to read and comprehend text
1.3 Build vocabulary through wide reading

Reading EALR 2: The student understands the meaning of what is read.
2.1 Demonstrate evidence of reading comprehension
2.3 Expand comprehension by analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing information and ideas in literary and informational text

Reading EALR 3: The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
3.1 Read to learn new information
3.2 Read to perform a task

Writing EALR 2: The student writes clearly and effectively.
2.2. Writes for different purposes

Writing EALR 3: The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
3.1. Develops ideas and organizes writing

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Course Outline

Introduction to Psychology

• Objectives: Demonstrate learned information. Use research materials to learn about psychology and the scientific method.
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce students to the scientific method, psychology, and the Psychology Place (www.psychplace.com)
• Activity: Vocabulary, Introduction to the Psychology Place, Ask Dr. Mike.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection: Vocabulary, On-line discussion, reflection.

Schools of Thought

• Objectives: Gain an understanding of the various schools of thought in psychology, Identify major contributions, Demonstrate learned information.
• Discussion / Instruction: Explain various schools of thought in psychology.
• Activity: Visit web sites discussing schools of thought, Answer questions,
• Assignment / Self-Reflection : Vocabulary, answer questions, compare/contrast, matching exercise

Physiology

• Objectives: Understands that physiology affects mental processes. Demonstrate learned information. Complete On-line activity.
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce vocabulary. Discussion of physiology.
• Activity Visit www.psychplace.com and complete On-line activity. Answer related questions.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection.

Sensation and Perception

• Objectives: Demonstrate understanding of the nervous system and the sensory process. Use research materials to learn about the process of sensory and perception in the human brain
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce students to the nervous system.
• Activity Visit www.psychplace.com and complete On-line activities. Answer related questions. Visit several Web sites and review each.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Consciousness

• Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding about the states of consciousness. Know and describe the stages of dreams. Use research materials to learn about the states of consciousness.
• Discussion / Instruction Introduce the stages of dreams and consciousness.
• Activity – complete On-line activity The Meaning of Dreams.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

How we Learn

• Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of classical conditioning. Know and describe the factors of learning in classical conditioning. Compare and contrast classical and operant conditioning. Use research materials to learn about conditioning and learning. Demonstrate learned information
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce Classical Conditioning, and various styles of learning.
• Activity: Visit web sites to learn about experiments and classical conditioning. Complete On-line activity.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Memory

• Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of various stages of memory including short-term and long-term memory. Know and describe problems associated with "eye-witness testimony". Use research materials to learn about memory. Demonstrate learned information.
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce the stages of memory and how memory works.
• Activity: Complete several On-line memory activities and report these back to the instructor.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Intelligence

• Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of the various theories on intelligence. Know and describe key intelligence vocabulary. Use research materials to learn about intelligence. Demonstrate learned information.
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce various intelligence tests.
• Activity: Visit various Web sites and discuss controversies, take several On-line intelligence tests.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Mid-Term Assessment

• Objectives: Demonstrate learned information.
• Discussion / Instruction: Mid-term Assessment
• Activity: Mid-term Assessment
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Introduction to Final Project

• Introduce the final project, gain understanding of requirements.
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce the final project
• Activity: Begin Final Project. Email instructor ideas.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

The Stages of Development

• Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of the stages of human development Know and describe key development vocabulary. Use research materials to learn about development. Demonstrate learned information.
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce students to the stages of human development.
• Activity: Vocabulary. Visit Web sites and read through various discussions on development as it pertains to psychology. Create Power Point slide show.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Personality

• Objectives: Demonstrate learned information. Use research materials to learn about personality theories. Realize that personality affects how others view us
• Discussion / Instruction: Read introduction of personality theories.
• Activity: Vocabulary. Visit Web sites to participate in On-line activities surrounding personality theories. Essay or Power Point slide show. Answer questions that pertain to the Web sites visited.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Stress

• Objectives: Understand that stress is a part of everyday life and how people deal with stress. Use research materials to learn about stress. Demonstrate learned information
• Discussion / Instruction: Read information on stress.
• Activity: Essay on self-stress. Visit Web sites that allow student to rate life stress. Essay and summary of On-line articles.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Disorders

• Objectives: Know and understand major psychological disorders. Use research materials to learn about disorders. Identify basic symptoms of disorders. Demonstrate learned information.
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce disorders.
• Activity: Vocabulary. Visit Web sites on disorders and complete On-line activity. Essay and On-line discussion.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Motivation

• Objectives: Describe the various aspects of motivation. Know that some motivation is caused by instinct. Use research materials to learn about motivation. Demonstrate learned information
• Discussion / Instruction: Introduce motivation and how it relates to psychology.
• Activity: Vocabulary. Read background information. Complete On-line activities. Essay/opinion paper.
• Assignment / Self-Reflection

Final Assessment / Project

• Objectives: Demonstrate learned information
• Discussion / Instruction: Students will have the final two weeks of the course to complete the final assessment, reflection, and project.

Course Work

Your homework will be sent to your teacher through the course. There may be some work that may be mailed or hand delivered to the teacher depending on the student selection of activities. These activities will offer you options on how you may turn in your work. If you have any questions of how to turn in your work please ask your teacher before you turn it in. Mailed work may be addressed to the following:

Teacher’s Name
Internet Academy
32020 1st. Ave. S Suite 109
Federal Way, WA 98003

The course work as stated in this syllabus and the checklist will remain the same throughout the semester. The teacher, however, will have the right to modify the checklist as needed for further individualized instruction to meet the needs of the students. No changes will be made without full notification of all students impacted by a change on the checklist. Common Reasons for a Checklist change would be:

• Modifying the assignment list for a completion grade of “C”.
• Substituting an assignment for another activity that would result in the same learning experience.
• Other reasons may occur and will be considered on an individualized basis.

 

Grading Description

A = 93 - 100%

A- = 90 - 92.9%

B+ = 87 - 89.9%

B = 83 - 86.9%

B- = 80 - 82.9%

C+ = 77 - 79.9%

C = 73 - 76.9%

C- = 70 - 72.9%

D = 60 - 69.9%

F = 0 - 59.9%

Note: Grades of D are not considered passing for Federal Way Public School students.

• Your final grade for the course will be calculated based on work completed and not completed. Missing assignments will be counted as zeroes and will negatively impact your overall grade. Be sure to complete all of the assignments required to ensure the highest grade possible.
• When scoring your work I look for several things:
  1. Originality of written work - this means that your answers are written in your own words showing me that you understand your research.
  2. Completeness of assignment - you have followed all of the directions for the assignment.
  3. Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and other mechanics of writing-use of complete sentences and paragraph form when required.
  4. Well researched answers - sources are cited along with your answers.
  5. Assignments that go beyond what is asked for in the directions - maximum points are earned for expanding on your ideas showing depth of understanding
• Any assignments less than a C level will be returned and you will be asked to redo it and resubmit it.
• To ensure your work is of at least C level quality, check each assignment for the following:

1. Does my assignment show new learning?
2. Did I do research to complete this assignment?
3. Did I cite my sources?
4. Did I submit original work in my own writing?
5. Did I include a complete heading, with my name, class and Unit/Assignment number?
6. Did I include the question at the beginning of my assignment?
7. Did I write in complete sentences using good paragraph formation?
8. Did I spell and grammar check my work before submitting it?
9. Did I do the best work I could possibly do on this assignment?

The Internet is a wealth of information and there is temptation to copy and paste information and send it in as a completed assignment. Do not do this. Work that is not original and is found to have been copied from someone else or from the Internet will be sent back. You are expected to cite your resources.

Revision Policy: The goal of this class is learning! Students have the opportunity to revise work until it meets standards and will be given additional instruction on work that does not yet meet requirements. If an assignment is returned to the student with instructions for revisions, and the student chooses to resubmit the original assignment, without following teacher suggestions, a final score based on work submitted will be recorded. Students will be given two opportunities to revise work to raise scores. Remember, A grades are earned on assignments that go beyond expectations.

Work submitted in bulk, i.e. one whole unit or more at a time, may not receive the individual feedback that can be given if work is submitted on schedule. Bulk work submitted during the last two weeks of the semester will be evaluated to determine if standards have been met, scores will be recorded, with no opportunites for revisions due to time limitations.

By turning in work steadily each week, you are given the feedback needed to revise work and the opportunity for additional learning with your teacher which can result in the highest grade possible. The opportunity is lost if you choose to wait until the end of the course to turn in the bulk of your assignments. Your grade will be negatively impacted if you turn in more than one unit's worth of work in a week near the end of the 17-week course. You will have lost the opportunity for revisions, feedback and the one-on-one teaching that you could have had throughout the course. If you have not turned in work each week, your teacher is unable to evaluate your learning and give you feedback in order to give you the opportunity to earn full credit.

• Your final grade for the course will be calculated based on work completed and not completed. Missing assignments will be counted as zeroes and will negatively impact your overall grade. Be sure to complete all of the assignments required to ensure the highest grade possible.
• When scoring your work I look for several things:
  1. Originality of written work - this means that your answers are written in your own words showing me that you understand your research.
  2. Completeness of assignment - you have followed all of the directions for the assignment.
  3. Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and other mechanics of writing-use of complete sentences and paragraph form when required.
  4. Well researched answers - sources are cited along with your answers.
  5. Assignments that go beyond what is asked for in the directions - maximum points are earned for expanding on your ideas showing depth of understanding
• Any assignments less than a C level will be returned and you will be asked to redo it and resubmit it.
• To ensure your work is of at least C level quality, check each assignment for the following:

1. Does my assignment show new learning?
2. Did I do research to complete this assignment?
3. Did I cite my sources?
4. Did I submit original work in my own writing?
5. Did I include a complete heading, with my name, class and Unit/Assignment number?
6. Did I include the question at the beginning of my assignment?
7. Did I write in complete sentences using good paragraph formation?
8. Did I spell and grammar check my work before submitting it?
9. Did I do the best work I could possibly do on this assignment?

The Internet is a wealth of information and there is temptation to copy and paste information and send it in as a completed assignment. Do not do this. Work that is not original and is found to have been copied from someone else or from the Internet will be sent back. You are expected to cite your resources.

Revision Policy: The goal of this class is learning! Students have the opportunity to revise work until it meets standards and will be given additional instruction on work that does not yet meet requirements. If an assignment is returned to the student with instructions for revisions, and the student chooses to resubmit the original assignment, without following teacher suggestions, a final score based on work submitted will be recorded. Students will be given two opportunities to revise work to raise scores. Remember, A grades are earned on assignments that go beyond expectations.

Work submitted in bulk, i.e. one whole unit or more at a time, may not receive the individual feedback that can be given if work is submitted on schedule. Bulk work submitted during the last two weeks of the semester will be evaluated to determine if standards have been met, scores will be recorded, with no opportunites for revisions due to time limitations.

 

Policies and Requirements

Academic integrity is essential to learning. Students are expected to complete their own work. Copying, plagiarizing, cheating or other methods of intentional deception are prohibited and may result in loss of grade or credit for the assignment or the course.

Expectations for assignment and course completion: IA students assume the major responsibility to be self-motivated, and to stay on target with the class. All work for the course must be completed at a passing level to earn credit, and must be completed within the school year or semester time. We expect students to consistently complete assignments for each class each week. Successful students use their class checklists to determine daily and weekly assignment schedules.

By turning in work steadily each week, students are given the feedback needed to revise and the opportunity for additional learning with their teacher resulting in the highest grade possible. This opportunity is lost if students choose to wait until the end of the course to turn in the majority of their assignments. Grades may be negatively impacted if work is submitted in bulk.

E-mail and software agreements: Students agree to maintain electronic integrity and face disciplinary measures if they do not abide by their promise.

Teachers reserve the right to make adjustments to the course content and expectations.

reserve the right to make adjustments to the course content and expectations.

 

Expectations

Students taking this class are expected to:

1. Contact their instructor each week by sending in several assignments. This lets the Internet Academy, parents and guardians, the school district, and the state know that students are attending class. It also helps students move at a steady pace toward completing the class in a reasonable amount of time. Students who do not meet this requirement will be withdrawn from the class.
2. Have the computer hardware and software necessary for the class work.
3. Communicate with the instructor in a clear, friendly, courteous manner. This includes signing communications with their full name and the name of the class they are in.
4. Communicate in Standard English. "e-english," the informal, lower-case, run-together communications used in chat rooms, is appropriate for the audiences and purposes of some e-mail. It is not appropriate for communicating with an instructor in class.
5. Turn in original work. Internet Academy teachers monitor for intentional deception through the use of an on-line subscription service and IA email archives. The consequences for intentional deception (copying, plagiarism, cheating, using someone else's work) may result in:
   • No credit for the assignment
   • Parent contact
   • Proctored testing
   • Failing the course
6. Do their very best work at all times.
7. Proceed at a steady pace toward finishing the class.
8. Have fun writing, reading, and learning!!

The instructor of this course is expected to:

1. Know the course material.
2. Communicate at least weekly with students and guardians in a clear, friendly, and courteous manner.
3. Respond to emails within a reasonable amount of time. It is your instructor's goal to answer QUESTIONS and HELP requests within one school day during the school week. Assignments will be graded and returned within three school days of receipt.
4. Be available for meetings and tutorials, and return phone calls promptly.
5. Keep accurate records.
6. Encourage and maintain high standards.
7. Help make learning fun!

Tech Support:

• Tech Help
  • 253-945-2249
  • helpdesk@iacademy.org

 

Weekly Contact Requirements: Students are expected to submit work each week following the provided checklist. They are also expected to maintain weekly communication with their teacher, ask for assistance when needed, and respond to e-mails from the teacher. If they are having trouble keeping up with the checklist, they should email their teacher immediately. The teacher is flexible and willing to work with students to meet their needs as they are communicated. If students are unable to meet these expectations, they will be dropped from the class for lack of attendance.