Psychology News

The Complete Companion

March 17th, 2008

The Complete Companion (second edition) is now available and I am sure that many schools, and colleges will adopt it (and perhaps Coco the cat too) as their set textbook for AQA (A) AS psychology.

The first edition of this best selling textbook was published by Nelson Thornes in 2003 and this second edition is published by Folens.

This textbook is again written by Cara Flanagan and Mike Cardwell and is mapped onto the new 2008 AQA (A) specifications.

Not surprisingly, the book is very impressive. It is called the complete companion because it provides everything an AS psychology student will need to be successful at AQA (A) AS psychology. The book covers all of the topics and skills needed for the new specification and provides exam tips throughout.

There are some great activities included and my favourite bits are the brief biographies of some of the researchers covered in the book. I was very impressed with the quality of the layout and design of the book. The textbook has an improved layout, more colours, more images and the paper is glossier and is of a better quality than the first edition. The only downside to this is that it weighs more.

The book is also supported by a fine, free online blog, which already has articles related to the book

Posted in Books, Folens, aqa by Mark Holah | No Comments »

GCSE changes for September 2009

March 15th, 2008

OCR has introduced a website devoted to the new changes to GCSEs. The site www.GCSEchanges.co.uk has information and updates relating to the new GCSEs for first teaching in September 2009.

The draft specifications for GCSE psychology will be available next month and you can register on the site for updates. The site is actually quite good.

www.gcsechanges.co.uk

Posted in GCSE, ocr by Mark Holah | No Comments »

The Complete Companion psychology textbook and more

March 10th, 2008

Folens have published an online companion to their new AQA (A) psychology textbook ‘The Complete Companion’. The very popular textbook, written by Cara Flanagan and Mike Cardwell, has been re-written for the 2008 specifications and is now on sale. I will write a review as soon as I receive my copy – well when I have received it and then read it.

The online companion consists of a blog written by Cara Flanagan, Mike Cardwell and Ade Frost and will have some extra resources and exam tips to follow.

Do have a look at the very promising blog here.

Posted in Books, Folens, Resources, South West Conferences, aqa by Mark Holah | No Comments »

Add your stuff

March 9th, 2008

If you have, or know of, a web site that will be useful for teachers or learners of psychology please go to www.clickpsych.com and submit a link.

Categories and links are easy to create and are swiftly moderated.

Posted in Links, Resources, clickpsych by Mark Holah | No Comments »

OCR podcasts and posters

March 9th, 2008

Following the successful insight conferences held in January, OCR has provided a number of resources for those teachers unable to attend the events. I attended the Leeds event and it was excellent.

On this page you can listen to the full length speeches from Mark Griffiths and Rebecca Rhodes. There are also edited speeches by Mark Griffiths, Rebecca Rhodes, Stephen Reicher and Alexander Haslam.

There is also a page where you can download research posters for each of the five new core studies, which have been compiled in collaboration with the British Psychological Society. You will need to sign up for these.

http://www.ocr.org.uk/campaigns/psychology_event/

http://www.ocr.org.uk/campaigns/psychology_posters/

Posted in Conferences, Podcasts, Resources, ocr by Mark Holah | No Comments »

OCR charging for past papers and mark schemes

March 6th, 2008

 

OCR ‘recognise achievement’ and are providing psychology teachers with the opportunity to buy the January 2008 question papers and mark schemes. How magnanimous.

Past papers are priced at just £1.60 each, with the corresponding qualification mark scheme priced at £5.10.

But hey “The past papers are available for immediate dispatch; due to production timescales the mark schemes will be in stock by the end of April 2008. Orders for mark schemes can still be placed now and your materials will be sent out as soon as stock is available”

How shall I pay for the past papers and mark schemes I asked myself. OCR have an answer. “All materials are available to order by phone via the Publications Orderline on 0870 770 6622 or online through the OCR Publications Online Ordering Service. Orders placed online can be paid for by centre account or credit/debit card.

If you would like to order online and pay by centre account but are unsure of your centre registration details, please call 01223 552636 for more information. You can also order via standard mail by downloading a publications order form”

Will I have to wait a long time? “All orders are dispatched within 3-5 days of receipt, subject to stock availability. A next working day service is also available for orders placed before 12 noon if required”

Well that is great then. I now have to pay for past papers and mark schemes. Thanks.

For further information on OCR Publications, please visit the publications section or call 01223 552603.

Or vist the ocr web site

http://www.ocr.org.uk/news_and_events/news/news_2008_15.html

Posted in ocr by Mark Holah | 2 Comments »

Zimbardo Speaks DVD

March 4th, 2008

Uniview have announced today that they are to film Zimbardo’s talk at the Emmanuel Centre in London. The talk is on the afternoons of Tuesday 18 March and Wednesday 19 March 2008. The DVD ‘Zimbardo Speaks’, will be available shortly afterwards.

Below is the press release.

South West Conferences present a unique opportunity for A level Psychology students to hear legendary Professor Zimbardo talk about his research and new book, and it’s all being caught on film!March is an exciting time for UK students of psychology as The Emmanuel Centre in London welcomes Professor Philip G. Zimbardo to discuss his past research and current book. The revision conference is organised by South West Conferences, a small consultancy company specialising in psychology A level students conferences and Teacher INSET courses, run by psychology teacher and author Cara Flanagan. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Conferences, South West Conferences, Uniview, dvds, video by Mark Holah | No Comments »