Beth Dietz

Education

• Ph.D. Social Psychology, University of Pittsburgh (1993)
• M.S. Social Psychology, University of Pittsburgh (1992) 
• B.A. Psychology (Cum Laude, With Distinction), University of Delaware (1987)

Teaching Interests

My basic teaching philosophy is that students learn better and enjoy learning more when they think and do rather than listen passively. I believe that my role as the instructor is to guide students and assist them in the discovery of new information, new ways of thinking, and new ways of “doing”. I prefer not to merely impart knowledge to students. If students can discover that knowledge on their own, then they can claim greater ownership of it than if they acquired it through more passive means. Toward that end, I structure my courses so that students participate in a variety of active- and collaborative-learning activities. I also have a strong interest in online distance learning and have been designing and teaching online courses for more than 15 years.

Research Interests

My primary disciplinary research interests include social identity theory. I apply this perspective to the study of sport fans and spectators, as well as perceptions of athletes. My Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) interests focus on the use of technology in teaching and learning. I have combined my interests in technology and teaching with my research interests in social psychology. The result has included projects examining group processes in computer-mediated and the use of computer-mediated communication to illustrate social psychological principles.

Professional Recognition

• 2013—Associate Chair of Assessment, Department of Psychology
• 2010—Excellence in Teaching Award for Full-Time Faculty, Miami University Middletown
• 2003—Nominated for Associated Student Government’s Outstanding Professor Award, Miami University
• 2000—Nominated for Outstanding Teacher Award, Miami University Middletown
• Recognized as an Honored Professor from the Associated Student Government of Miami University
• 1998—Psi Chi Professor of the Year, Miami University
• 1998—Nominated by Psychology Department undergraduates as a “truly outstanding” faculty member, Miami University

Selected Publications

• Dietz, B. (2017). Learning analytics: Predicting student performance. In R. L. Miller & T. Collette
• (Eds.) Teaching Tips: A Compendium of Conference Presentations on Teaching, 2015-16. Retrieved from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology
• Martinez, A., Bishop-Clark, C., & Dietz, B. (2016). Cross-country faculty learning community: An opportunity for collaboration around the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. In P. Blessinger & B. Cozza (Eds.) University Partnerships for Academic Programs and Professional Development (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Volume 7) (pp. 111-139). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
• Cottam, M., Mastors, E., Preston, T., & Dietz, B. (2016). Introduction to political psychology, 3rd edition. New York, NY: Psychology Press.
• Bishop-Clark, C. & Dietz-Uhler, B. (2012). Engaging in the scholarship of teaching and learning: A guide to the process, and how to develop a project from start to finish. Hemdon, VA: Stylus Publishing.
• Birchmeier, Z., Dietz-Uhler, B., & Stasser, G. (Eds.). (2011). Strategic uses of social technology: An interactive perspective of social psychology. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
• Dietz-Uhler, B. & Lanter, J. R. (2009). Using the Four-Questions Technique to Enhance Learning. Teaching of Psychology, 36, 38-41.
• Dietz-Uhler, B. & Lanter, J. R. (2008). The consequences of sport fan identification. In L. Hugenberg, P. Haridakis, & A. Earnheardt (Eds.), Media and mediate sports fandom. (pp. 103-113). McFarland & Company, Inc.