2003-2004

Psychology 200 Portfolio Criteria

The purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate learning. The portfolio is to be typewritten or computer printed on standard paper with standard font, standard spelling, and standard grammar. Students should consider a series of chapter reaction papers, a series of journal reviews, a service learning journal, an internet research project, or a traditional research paper for their portfolio. The student conduct policies of MECC apply to this class and to this assignment.

The Do Not List
Do not plagiarize.
Do not simply download something.
Do not simply list the definitions from the text.
Do not simply list the course objectives from the psychology page.
Do not simply copy quotations or material.
Do not just copy the sample multiple choice questions with the answer marked.
Do not put three lines on a page and expect it to count as a page.
Do not count the cover page as a page.
Do not bind your paper as a book.
Do not “contract out” the portfolio.
Do not put off the assignment until the last day.
Do not put someone else’s name on the paper.
Do not misspell your name.

You may hire an attorney. But if you do, then you must pay the fee.
Do remember that the objective is to prove you learned some psychology.
 
 

Option 1 – A traditional term paper
If you decide to do a traditional term paper to fulfill the portfolio requirement, please get the topic approved by the instructor. In addition, comply with all the guidelines given in an Eng 111 and Eng 112 class.

Option 2 -- A series of reaction papers to chapters of the textbook
Make the psychology book work for you by completing the following sentences. In your own words tell what you learned from the chapters. Prove that you learned by the way in which you construct your portfolio.

1) The most helpful specific idea I can personally use from this chapter is ...
 
2) When I use this idea, I will benefit by ...
 
3) The way I plan to use this idea is to ...
 
4) One point I found interesting in this chapter is ...
 
5) One point I have had difficulty understanding and applying is ...
 
6) I would recommend (or not recommend) this chapter to …
 

Option 3 -- A service learning journal portfolio
Make your service learning activity work for you by answering the following questions. In your own words tell what you learned from the experience using the concepts, principles and findings of psychology. Prove that you learned by the way in which you construct your portfolio.

Describe
What did you do?
What happened today?

Analyze
How does psychology relate to … …?
How does ________ relate to … …?

React
How do you feel about  … … ..?
What do you think now about … … …?

Using a scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree please evaluate your service learning according to the following:
Increase in ability to apply intellectually your concept to the real world
Increase in career opportunities
Increase in course preparation
Increase of critical thinking skills
Increase of cultural, ethnic or minority group understanding
Increase in enjoyment of life
Increase of leadership skills
Increase of learning concepts, findings and principles of psychology
Increase in moral development
Increase in research productivity
Increase in satisfaction with the course
Increase in scholarship
Increase in sensitivity to individuals
Increase in social responsibility
Increase in student-faculty relationships
 

Option 4 -- psychology internet lab report evaluation portfolio
Make the internet work for you by reporting on your psychology research. In your own words tell what you learned from each internet site. The Psychology department webpage, the textbook and the APA.org site have suggested research sites. Prove that you learned by the way in which you construct your portfolio.
Name  _____________________________  Class ______ Date _______
Organization  (8 points)
      Citation Page   012
      Adequate source Information    012
      At least four different sources   01234
Appearance  (8 points)
      Professional Appearance   012
      Mechanics (i.e., grammar, spelling, font)    0123
      Report on time    012345
Content   (24 points)
      Relates to Psychology 200   012
      Coherence apparent   012
      Informative   01234
      Demonstrates communication   01234
      Interest in topic apparent      01234
      Research process explained   01234
      Application to everyday life    01234
Overall Effect   (10 points)
      Thoughtful and logical   012
      Signed and dated   0123
      Impact on evaluator   012345
    Total Points ____________
 

Option 5 – A journal review portfolio
Make the journal articles in psychology work for you by completing the following questions. In your own words tell what you learned from the journal article. Prove that you learned by the way in which you construct your portfolio.
Answer each of these questions. Either list the question with the answer or combine the answers into a discussion of the journal article. Use your own words.
1. What is the name of the article, the journal and when it was published?
2. Who are the authors? Why are they writing this article?
3. Have the authors studied similar topics?
4. What are the conditions of the research?
     Who did they study and how?
     How did they obtain the information for their research?
5. What did the authors find?
     What is the clearest way to summarize the article?
     What conclusions did they state?
     What are the future implications?
6. What psychological concepts did they use?
     Was the article intelligible?
     Was it easy to read?
7. What are your personal conclusions about the study?
     What are your feelings about the study?
     What did they prove or disprove? Are you convinced? Why?
 
 
 

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This page last updated August 2003