Psychology Site set for Expansion

A unique Psychology website is set to expand to cater for teachers as well as A-level students.

PsYonline, which has been developed by teachers from the north west of England together with academics at Edge Hill, was launched two years ago and has proved a popular resource for students from across the world.

The site, which was nominated in the Education category of the New Media Awards 2005, offers free web support for the AQA (A) A-level syllabus as well as facilitating online discussion with academics and examiners involved in the study of Psychology.

Edge Hill Research Assistant Julia Phillmore, who has co-ordinated the research for PsYonline and maintains the website said: "On September 19th we will launch a special area designed specifically for teachers. This part of the site will be password-secure and will include a resource area with archived PowerPoint presentations, overhead transparencies, classroom activities and much more. The resource area is designed to be an 'expanding library' where teachers can share ideas and good practice."

In addition, the Teachers' Area will contain a 'Staff Room' for online discussions ? a facility that is integral to the site as many psychology teachers work in one-person departments.

"Almost 50,000 students have visited the site in the last year and we hope this frequency of use will now rise even more thanks to the added resources for teaching staff."

Project Director, Dr Mike Davis added: "We are delighted with the progress that we have made in developing this site with the support of the DfES Building Bridges Programme. In addition to providing valuable resources for students and teachers, it has led to a further project, funded by the Higher Education Academy Psychology Network, which will use the site to gather data about students' experiences of the study of Psychology at undergraduate level."