Toward flipping the classroom: developing an online learning module for introductory biology
Academic Year:
2014 - 2015 (June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015)
Funding Requested:
$6,000.00
Project Dates:
-
Overview of the Project:
The teaching team of Biology 172 (Introduction to Biology—Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology) will develop an online learning and assessment tool. The goals of this tool are to bridge the gap between students of diverse levels of preparation and to provide a superior learning experience by providing more opportunities to practice higher level cognitive skills. Students will have to complete a two-part online quiz before each class. Part 1 will ensure that students come to class prepared, having acquired some of the basic concepts on their own. Class time will then be spent discussing more difficult concepts and developing critical thinking skills. In the second part of the quiz, students' critical thinking skills will be tested on concepts already discussed in class. Students will be able to take the quiz multiple times, each time receiving feedback on which concepts they need to review. On each try, they will receive a new set of questions testing the same concepts. To successfully implement this system, we need a large question pool covering all important concepts taught in the course. The main goal of this project is to generate this question pool. BIO 172 instructors from all terms are involved in the project. This team effort will not only benefit a large number of students, but it will also even out the introductory biology experience across all terms.