Helms - Ohlone Psychology Blog

New Academic Core Buildings!...

Dear Students,

Our new, $500 million project is complete! The new Academic Core Buildings (ACB) are open and (mostly) functional! You won't believe how beautiful they are!

Just so you know, your classes will mostly be held in Buildings 1, 2, and 3 of the new ACB.  The first number of your classroom tells you the building you're in. The second tells you the floor you're on. And the rest refer to the room number.  For example, room 3316 is Building 3, Floor 3, and the 16th room in that hallway.

If you get lost, there are maps, and you can always ask an employee or fellow student.

See you soon!

- Sheldon

Spring Syllabi...

Dear Students:

Please click the appropriate link below to download your syllabus.  I teach a lot of classes, and multiple sections of some, so make sure that you download and save only the syllabus for the class that you have registered for.  Each syllabus has information (room numbers, test dates, etc.) that is specific to YOUR class.  These syllabi will remain on my blog for the entire semester.

Moreover, if I mention a schedule change in class (they're rare, but they are sometimes unavoidable), or if I happen to miss a class due to illness, it is your responsibility to check back here to see if a revised version of your syllabus has been posted.

 

Spring Text Books...

Spring Semester text books for my classes are shown below. If you use the ISBN displayed here, you can be certain that you're purchasing the exact book I am teaching from. 

This information is also available in the Ohlone College Bookstore on campus, with classes organized in the store by department, instructor, and course.  Just ask any of the floor staff to help you find the section marked "Psychology," and find the book(s) with my name on the tag.

 

Student Data Sheet...

Dear Students:

Please download and complete the Student Data Sheet below, then bring it to class next time we meet.

IT REQUIRES A CLEAR FACE PICTURE OF YOU.  You can insert a picture of yourself and then print it out on the sheet, or just staple a picture to the sheet if that's easier.  Please make sure it's one that allows me to recognize you (no big sun glasses, artistic turns of the head, etc.).  I'm using these to get to know my students by name and face, in the hope that the information will help me adjust my teaching to students' needs and backgrounds.

Thanks!

-- Sheldon

Download Student-data-sheet 2019

Magic In The Classroom - An e-Book from the JREF...

A few years ago, I was asked by the James Randi Educational Foundation to contribute to part of their educational efforts. The result of this collaboration was three chapters in their e-book, "Magic in the Classroom."  In it, I wrote chapters on the following topics:

1. Your Nervous System Can Fool You (Chapter 25)
2. Your Common Sense Can Fail You (Chapter 26)
3. Your Beliefs are Malleable (Chapter 28)

Click here to visit the download page where you can get a FREE copy in multiple formats.

Introducing James Randi...

James Randi's reputation as a magician and escape artist is a matter of world renown.  Although he  occasionally still performs small feats, most of his current efforts involve his work as a tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims.  Utilizing a keen scientific mind, Randi - as he prefers to be called - examines claims of paranormal powers and activities all over the world. 

And you thought I was kidding....

Dear Students:

Many of you laughed when I mentioned the Flat Earth Society in class (and it is, indeed, laughable). But believe me, I'm not kidding.  There are litereally thousands of otherwise normal, everyday folks around the world who believe that our planet is flat.

This view of the world is ancient, and derives from staggering ignorance. Even Christopher Columbus knew that the world was a sphere (regardless of the children's tale that says otherwise).  To find people who believed this, you'd have to go back much further than the 1400s. In fact, it was the Greek philosopher Pythagoras who first proposed a spherical Earth in the 6th century (the 500s)!

CLICK HERE to read a report about the Flat Earthers and their ridiculous beliefs. Then, consider what other beliefs people hold (homophobia, Creationism, sexism, anti-GMO, racial superiority, vaccine denial), as well as any that you yourself may hold that aren't supported by the facts.

ANNOUNCEMENT: ShelShocked Podcast Airs!...

I'm pleased to announce that my long-awaited podcast has finally aired. Each week, my co-host Amanda DeVaus (from the Australian Skeptics) will cover a different topic from science or skepticism, and feature interviews from famous scientists, authors, critical thinkers, etc.

NOW AVAILABLE in the iTunes store! Just search for "ShelShocked," then subscribe so that episodes will download automatically each week FREE.

CLICK HERE to join our Facebook fan page where each new episode will post, and related information can be found.

In addition, you can listen to (or download) episodes directly from my website HERE.

 

Coffey Talk - The Success of Operation Bumblebee...

Dear Students:

I'm happy to report that Operation Bumblebee (San Jose) was a rousing success. Several of us to took part have written up articles about the experience, and some are already taking part in podcast interviews to spread the word. In addition to tricking self-described psychic Chip Coffey into connecting with our fake dead relatives, we also hoped to spark skeptical activism in our community. When you have a moment, click the link below to read (or listen to) my take on the evening. It was an emotionally exhausting experience, but very gratifying, nonetheless.

CLICK HERE to read a report of the evening's events (also available in audio format on that page).  We have some interest from several major publications and a TV show, and I'll keep you posted about those as they develop.

Stay skeptical!