Friday, February 26, 2010

Educator wants AP Psychology class to instill confidence in students (Asbury Park Press)

Educator wants AP Psychology class to instill confidence in students (Asbury Park Press)

Educator wants AP Psychology class to instill confidence in students (Asbury Park Press)

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 08:17 AM PST

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When at first walking into Jill McCracken's AP Psychology class, someone might notice the bright array of collages made from magazine cut-outs. They cover two of the four classroom walls and have titles such as "Psychodynamic," "Behavioral" and "Neuroscience" — various aspects of psychology.

Although few people would know what these terms mean without taking the course, 88 students could explain them to you this year.

Room 402 has a relaxed, yet productive atmosphere as McCracken, 45, of Marlboro casually jokes with the students entering the classroom. However, everyone still has their mind set on the task at hand because the dedication and course work required are no joke. Students make detailed outlines for every chapter covered in the class' college-level textbook and regularly write comprehensive essays.

McCracken has been teaching at Holmdel for four years.

"I just always wanted to understand why people behaved the way they do," she says when asked why she became a psychology teacher. "This is one of those classes that has direct life application. It is relevant to friendships and relationships. You see the world differently once you've taken this class."

Many of her students would agree.

Junior Yuwen Memon, 16, says he took the class "because I'm interested in the science and I thought it could provide me with some insights on the way humans behave and interact."

Junior Jennifer Wiedemann, 16, wants to major in psychology.

"I feel like (AP Psychology is) very informative and allows students to actually have a grasp on how a human is born, formed and developed," she says.

McCracken says she wants students to take away one thing from her class: "Confidence in themselves to make good choices, and to know that a bad choice doesn't mean the end of the world."

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