Dr. Sandra K. Webster, professor of psychology at Westminster College, presented part of her Korean research at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Francisco Aug. 25.

Webster, who spent the past year in Korea as a Fulbright Scholar, presented "Teaching Psychometrics in South Korea Through a Reunification Attitude Scale Class Project." This part of her research dealt with student attitudes regarding the reunification of South and North Korea.

"I went to South Korea with the goal of understanding how Korean students learn, and particularly how to engage them in collaborative learning and using Internet instructional resources," said Webster. "Research and teaching are not two separate intellectual activities, but one integrated whole."

"The dynamic mix of Korean culture is ahead of us in many ways," continued Webster. "Their heritage is strong, and there is a tension between that and moving ahead. Korean students won't even think about the future without the past."

Webster found that the Korean students responded well to her goal of using the Internet as a teaching tool.

"The students reacted very well to using online texts, moderately well to online class bulletin boards for posting questions and assignments, but poorly for online project collaboration," said Webster. "Korean students are very willing and able to use the Internet to receive information, but they are more hesitant to use it as a means of individual expression or group decision-making. Internet activities that physically isolate them are at odds with their high desire for social contact."

Webster received a Fulbright Scholar Grant, sponsored by the United States Department of State, to research and teach this past academic year in Korea. She was among the 800 United States faculty and professionals to received this highly competitive award. This was Webster's second Fulbright award. Her first was in 1989 as she lectured in Nigeria at the University of Jos.

Westminster College boasts several other Fulbright Scholars including: Peggy L. Cox, professor of art, Dr. James Perkins, professor of English; Dr. Clarence Harms, professor of biology; Dr. William McTaggart, professor of English Emeritus, and Dr. David Swerdlow, associate professor of English.