scholarly journals Active Learning and Student-centered Pedagogy Improve Student Attitudes and Performance in Introductory Biology

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Armbruster ◽  
Maya Patel ◽  
Erika Johnson ◽  
Martha Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Design ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Introductory Biology ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Course Redesign

We describe the development and implementation of an instructional design that focused on bringing multiple forms of active learning and student-centered pedagogies to a one-semester, undergraduate introductory biology course for both majors and nonmajors. Our course redesign consisted of three major elements: 1) reordering the presentation of the course content in an attempt to teach specific content within the context of broad conceptual themes, 2) incorporating active and problem-based learning into every lecture, and 3) adopting strategies to create a more student-centered learning environment. Assessment of our instructional design consisted of a student survey and comparison of final exam performance across 3 years—1 year before our course redesign was implemented (2006) and during two successive years of implementation (2007 and 2008). The course restructuring led to significant improvement of self-reported student engagement and satisfaction and increased academic performance. We discuss the successes and ongoing challenges of our course restructuring and consider issues relevant to institutional change.

scholarly journals A Delicate Balance: Integrating Active Learning into a Large Lecture Course

2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Walker ◽  
Sehoya H. Cotner ◽  
Paul M. Baepler ◽  
Mark D. Decker
Keyword(s):  
Student Survey ◽  
Introductory Biology ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Traditional Lecture ◽  
Active Section ◽  
Large Lecture ◽  
Lecture Format ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Lecture Time ◽  
Traditional Section

A lecture section of introductory biology that historically enrolled more than 500 students was split into two smaller sections of approximately 250 students each. A traditional lecture format was followed in the “traditional” section; lecture time in the “active” section was drastically reduced in favor of a variety of in-class student-centered activities. Students in both sections took unannounced quizzes and multiple-choice exams. Evaluation consisted of comparisons of student survey responses, scores on standardized teaching evaluation forms, section averages and attendance, and open-ended student comments on end-of-term surveys. Results demonstrate that students perform as well, if not better, in an active versus traditional environment. However, student concerns about instructor expectations indicate that a judicious balance of student-centered activities and presentation-style instruction may be the best approach.

scholarly journals Increased Learning Observed in Redesigned Introductory Biology Course that Employed Web-enhanced, Interactive Pedagogy

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl N. McDaniel ◽  
Bradford C. Lister ◽  
Michael H. Hanna ◽  
Harry Roy
Keyword(s):  
Biological Knowledge ◽  
Learning Gains ◽  
Introductory Biology ◽  
Learning Gain ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Traditional Course ◽  
Introductory Biology Course ◽  
Student Composition ◽  
Made In

Our Introduction to Biology course (BIOL 1010) changed in 2004 from a standard instructor-centered, lecture-homework-exam format to a student-centered format that used Web-enhanced, interactive pedagogy. To measure and compare conceptual learning gains in the traditional course in fall 2003 with a section of the interactive course in fall 2004, we created concept inventories for both evolution and ecology. Both classes were taught by the same instructor who had taught BIOL 1010 since 1976, and each had a similar student composition with comparable biological knowledge. A significant increase in learning gain was observed with the Web-enhanced, interactive pedagogy in evolution (traditional, 0.10; interactive, 0.19; p = 0.024) and ecology (traditional, −0.05; interactive, 0.14; p = 0.000009) when assessment was made unannounced and for no credit in the last week of classes. These results strengthen the case for augmenting or replacing instructor-centered teaching with Web-enhanced, interactive, student-centered teaching. When assessment was made using the final exam in the interactive course, for credit and after studying, significantly greater learning gains were made in evolution (95%, 0.37, p = 0.0001) and ecology (143%, 0.34, p = 0.000003) when compared with learning gains measured without credit or study in the last week of classes.

scholarly journals Improved Student Learning through a Faculty Learning Community: How Faculty Collaboration Transformed a Large-Enrollment Course from Lecture to Student Centered

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. ar22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R. Elliott ◽  
Robert D. Reason ◽  
Clark R. Coffman ◽  
Eric J. Gangloff ◽  
Jeffrey R. Raker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Gains ◽  
Introductory Biology ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Faculty Learning Community ◽  
Active Learning Strategies ◽  
Large Enrollment

Undergraduate introductory biology courses are changing based on our growing understanding of how students learn and rapid scientific advancement in the biological sciences. At Iowa State University, faculty instructors are transforming a second-semester large-enrollment introductory biology course to include active learning within the lecture setting. To support this change, we set up a faculty learning community (FLC) in which instructors develop new pedagogies, adapt active-learning strategies to large courses, discuss challenges and progress, critique and revise classroom interventions, and share materials. We present data on how the collaborative work of the FLC led to increased implementation of active-learning strategies and a concurrent improvement in student learning. Interestingly, student learning gains correlate with the percentage of classroom time spent in active-learning modes. Furthermore, student attitudes toward learning biology are weakly positively correlated with these learning gains. At our institution, the FLC framework serves as an agent of iterative emergent change, resulting in the creation of a more student-centered course that better supports learning.

Using Active Student-Centered Learning-Based Instructional Design to Develop Faculty and Improve Course Design, Delivery, and Evaluation

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lavoie ◽  
Andrew J. Rosman
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Design ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Faculty Development ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Student Centered Learning ◽  
Master Of Science

This paper describes how the Resource-Enriched Learning Model (RELM), an active student-centered approach to faculty development and course design, delivery, and evaluation (Lavoie 2001), has been applied to develop an online Master of Science in Accounting Program. With its focus on the processes underlying quality teaching and learning, RELM provides faculty with a skill set learned in the same environment that they ultimately will create for their students. Having experienced active learning firsthand in the online environment, faculty are better prepared to create a similar learning environment for their students.

Perfecting Communication Skills of the Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Dr. Neeta Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Oral Communication ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Listening And Speaking

Abstract Communication is a process of sharing information through speech, writing, gestures or symbols between two or more people. The focus of the present paper is oral communication and the language under consideration is English. The teacher should adopt a student centered approach. The learners should be encouraged to do things in the class which result in developing their communication skills. The trainer has to focus on both the linguistic and paralinguistic features of the communication process while enhancing learners’ communication skills. These features involve the effective use of words, forming grammatically intelligible sentences and an appropriate use of voice and intonation. The teacher should encourage and train his students to use positive body language while listening and speaking. In order to hone the communication skills of the learners, it is very important to make the learners comfortable with the language they have to communicate in. Shedding their inhibitions is also one of the pivotal areas of concerns. This paper explores different techniques that could be useful while training students in communication skills. Communication is a process of sharing information through speech, writing, gestures or symbols between two or more people. The focus of the present paper is oral communication and the language under consideration is English. The major elements of a communication process are sender, receiver, message and feedback. Effective communication is a two way process. It involves both expressive (speaking) skills and receptive (listening) skills. It entails receiver’s understanding of the message sent by the sender and his feedback to the sender. Listening plays a very important role in the language learning process. It is the most primary of the four basic skills of any language i.e. Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Listening paves way for speaking. One can never be a good speaker if one is not a good listener. An effective communicator is first a good listener and then a good speaker. According to Tickoo ( 2003 ), ‘Good listening skills not only lay the foundations of good speech, but they grow best through effective communication’.

scholarly journals Conceptions of Learning and Teaching for Faculty Who Teach Basic Science

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Carvalho ◽  
Francis C. Dane ◽  
Shari A. Whicker
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Approaches To Teaching ◽  
Conceptions Of Learning ◽  
Learner Engagement ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Teacher Centered

Abstract Introduction Conceptions of learning and teaching refer to what faculty think about teaching effectiveness. Approaches to teaching refer to the methods they use to teach. Both conceptions and approaches range from student-centered/learning-focused (active learner engagement) to teaching-centered/content-focused (passive learner engagement). This study explored how faculty teaching experience influenced faculty conceptions and their approaches to teaching. The authors hypothesized that more experienced educators appreciate and apply active learning approaches. Methods The authors used a cross-sectional survey to collect anonymous data from the Basic Science faculty at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM). The survey included the Conceptions of Learning and Teaching scale (COLT; Jacobs et al. 2012) and demographic information. They assessed instrument reliability with Cronbach’s alpha and examined relationships between variables with correlation and chi-square and group differences with ANOVA. Results Thirty-eight percent (50/130) of faculty responded to the survey. COLT scores for student-centered (4.06 ± 0.41) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than teacher-centered (3.12 ± 0.6). Teacher-centered scores were lower (p < 0.05) for younger (30–39, 2.65 ± 0.48) than older faculty (50–59, 3.57 ± 0.71) and were negatively correlated with using multiple teaching methods (p = 0.022). However, 83% (39/50) reported using both traditional lectures and active approaches. Discussion Faculty conceptions about teaching showed appreciation for active learning, but a tendency to use traditional teaching methods interspersed with student-centered ones. Teaching experience was not related to faculty conceptions but was related to their teaching approaches. The amount of time dedicated to teaching was related to the appreciation of active learning, and young teachers were more student-oriented.

A Mixed Exam Format Closes the Gap for Students with a Conflict between Their Religious Belief & the Theory of Evolution

2014 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin F. Stanger-Hall ◽  
Julianne A. Wenner
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Religious Belief ◽  
Religious Conflict ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Introductory Biology ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Constructed Response ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Acceptance Of Evolution ◽  
Introductory Biology Course

We assessed the performance of students with a self-reported conflict between their religious belief and the theory of evolution in two sections of a large introductory biology course (N = 373 students). Student performance was measured through pretest and posttest evolution essays and multiple-choice (MC) questions (evolution-related and non-evolution-related questions) on the final exam and posttest. The two class sections differed only in exam format: MC with or without constructed-response (CR) questions. Although students with a reported conflict scored significantly lower on the final exam in the MC-only section, they scored equally well in the MC+CR section, and all students in the MC+CR section performed significantly better overall. As a result, (1) a religious conflict with evolution can be negatively associated with student achievement in introductory biology, but (2) assessment with constructed response was associated with a closed performance gap between students with and without a conflict. We suggest that differences in exam format and focus on student acceptance of evolution (either evidence-based or opinion), rather than reported conflict, may contribute to the inconsistencies in student learning of evolution across research studies, and that CR questions may help students overcome other obstacles to learning evolution.

scholarly journals The effect of flipped teaching combined with modified team-based learning on student performance in physiology

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaya Gopalan ◽  
Megan C. Klann
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Student Centered Learning ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Class Time ◽  
Teaching Format ◽  
Team Based Learning ◽  
Traditional Lectures

Flipped classroom is a hybrid educational format that shifts guided teaching out of class, thus allowing class time for student-centered learning. Although this innovative teaching format is gaining attention, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of flipped teaching on student performance. We compared student performance and student attitudes toward flipped teaching with that of traditional lectures using a partial flipped study design. Flipped teaching expected students to have completed preclass material, such as assigned reading, instructor-prepared lecture video(s), and PowerPoint slides. In-class activities included the review of difficult topics, a modified team-based learning (TBL) session, and an individual assessment. In the unflipped teaching format, students were given PowerPoint slides and reading assignment before their scheduled lectures. The class time consisted of podium-style lecture, which was captured in real time and was made available for students to use as needed. Comparison of student performance between flipped and unflipped teaching showed that flipped teaching improved student performance by 17.5%. This was true of students in both the upper and lower half of the class. A survey conducted during this study indicated that 65% of the students changed the way they normally studied, and 69% of the students believed that they were more prepared for class with flipped learning than in the unflipped class. These findings suggest that flipped teaching, combined with TBL, is more effective than the traditional lecture.

scholarly journals Development of Student-centered Modules to Support Active Learning in Hydrology

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Habib ◽  
David Tarboton ◽  
Matthew Deshotel ◽  
David Farnham
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Student Centered
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