Beyond Pro-Cons: The Power of APE in Educational Psychology with Dr. Richard Feenstra

In this episode of Innovating Education, host Dr. Riley Williams interviews Dr. Richard Feenstra, an educational psychologist known for his global impact and development of the APE model for decision-making. Feenstra discusses his journey from being a police officer to an educational psychologist, highlighting the limitations of traditional decision-making models in high-stakes environments. He explains the APE model—Assess, Plan, Execute—as a dynamic system that integrates goals and operates in real-world scenarios. Dr. Feenstra also addresses the challenges learners face when mastering decision-making and how he tailors his workshops for culturally diverse audiences. The conversation delves into mental contrasting, feedback, and the balance of reflection and action. Finally, Dr. Feenstra shares how educators and organizations can incorporate the APE model into their professional development programs.