Flexible teaching during a pandemic and beyond: A reflection on lessons learned from the society for the teaching of psychology's pivot teaching committee

During the past 2 years, instructors have faced a variety of obstacles related to COVID-19's continued impact on higher education. For example, educators have had to manage a lack of training, heightened stress and anxiety levels, the need for increased instructor flexibility, transitions from the classroom to the online environment (and back again), challenges to academic integrity, and difficulty maintaining boundaries between home and work life. In response, the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP;American Psychological Association Division 2) formed a task force to examine the obstacles instructors face when required to "pivot teach." The present article reports on the findings from four areas of particular difficulty for instructors throughout the pandemic. First, we focus on teaching modalities, specifically by examining online asynchronous instruction, virtual synchronous instruction, and hybrid or flex instruction. Second, we explore teaching methods and assessment, including the importance of transparency, the importance of flexibility, practical assessment strategies, and flexible assignment ideas. Third, we discuss personal and professional development and offer multiple strategies to help separate work from home. Finally, we provide thoughts on looking back and looking ahead as instructors continue to adapt to an ever-changing educational landscape. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Understanding the biological basis of behavior: Developing evidence-based interventions for clinical, counseling and school psychologists

This book is an introduction to the biological basis of behavior, broadly defined, with practical applications for higher education programs that focus on advances in neuroscience. It has a special focus on training practitioners based on American Psychological Association (APA) health service psychology guidelines. It reviews and digests information for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists serving clients of all ages in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and clinics. Content for all developmental stages, including birth to geriatric practices are highlighted. This book will help health service psychologists and counselors to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population by providing cutting-edge, evidence-based, ecologically valid neuropsychological interventions currently lacking within the field. Cultural considerations are provided within each chapter, which is especially important given societal inequity that continues to persist within our world. Implications for the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed in light of neuroscientific advances in medicine. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

What do psychologists most value in their state organizations? The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) perspective

Professional psychology has gone through amazing growth and development in recent years. This corresponds with rapid changes to the healthcare landscape and is further accelerated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Professional organizations are integral to addressing these challenges, with state psychological associations playing a critical role for professional psychologists. Since its creation, the Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) has been championing the needs of its members to the benefit of all psychologists in the state. In 2019, CPA surveyed existing members and all licensed psychologists in Connecticut (CT) on professional concerns and interests. It also sought to engage CT psychologists in professional advocacy efforts and to counter declining membership numbers. The survey development process itself was valuable. Items were tailored to memberships status and included quantitative and qualitative data with thematic content covering: advocacy, networking, professional assistance, educational opportunities, marketing opportunities, and public service. Organizational housekeeping during survey development and the prepandemic timing of data collection proved invaluable. Results and implications are summarized with the discussion of the action steps that followed in the context of an emerging global pandemic. Insights generated by the survey facilitated strategic prioritization of limited resources, helping CPA to navigate the start of the COVID-19 syndemic and to take action steps that successfully increased membership. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Despite membership declines, professional organizations such as Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) continue to play a critical role in supporting and sustaining professional psychologist needs. Targeted surveys not only provide important insights into an organization's value, but can also facilitate infrastructure development, improve strategic prioritization of limited resources, and generate action steps to increase membership in professional organizations during uncertain times. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)