We study a wide range of development and learning issues, all centered around how children, adolescents, and adults develop and use cognitive strategies. We mostly study strategies that relate to written communication skills and using and making sense of the Web.

Spelling? Writing? The Web?; These seem like very different tasks but they all require effective and efficient use of cognitive strategies. A cognitive strategy is a conscious attempt to solve a problem. A child who sounds out the word, dog, as "duh," "ah, " "guh," and writes, dog, is using a phonological strategy. As adolescent who checks out several Web sites on acne to decide on what over-the-counter medication to buy is using a critical appraisal strategy.

Here are some ways you can get involved in the lab:

Volunteer. If you have taken PSYCO 104 and 105 – or some other introductory Psychology class, you are welcome to volunteer in the lab. Come to weekly lab meetings, help us develop research studies, and learn more about applied developmental science.

Research Opportunity Program in Psychology (PSYCO 299).This is a great opportunity to see what research is all about. Meant for second year students, all you need is PSYCO 104 and one other PSYCO course. Come be part of the lab and learn about research! You can take two 1.5 credit credit/no credit courses. It’s best to make a full year commitment (take two PSYCO 299 courses).

Individual studies and research (PSYCO 496/498). If you have taken at least one related 300-level course in Psychology, you can receive course credit for learning about and working on applied research in the lab. Come to weekly lab meetings, read and report on published research, help develop and run research studies, and potentially propose your own research. You need to be able to make a full year commitment (take two PSYCO 496/498 courses).

Honors Program. Honors students complete an apprenticeship year during the third year and propose original research in the fourth year. Check out the Departmental pages on the Honors Program.

Internship Program. The Department of Psychology hires a B.Sc. student to support faculty and develop instructional technology. The IIP student usually becomes part of the lab as well.

PhD Program. Potential graduate students interested in applied developmental science, instructional technology, or interdisciplinary studies in these areas are welcome in the lab. Check out the Departmental pages on the Graduate Program.