Experiential Teaching in Biology

Catalog description

The course provides a broad exploration of the science of learning as well as how to effectively develop curricula and pedagogy to support effective learning in undergraduate biology laboratory courses. Additionally, this course will prepare graduate students for future roles as educators. In particular, this course will focus on the cognitive principles of how people learn most effectively as well as provide students the skills involved in developing curricula and pedagogy to support active learning and a learner-centered environment in undergraduate biology laboratory courses. The major topics to be covered include the science of learning, the need for curricular reform in the sciences, how to create a student-centered learning environment, and the ethical and professional foundations of teaching. After successfully completing this course, students will be able to use evidence to discuss the value of learner-centered classrooms in the sciences, identify elements of a learner-centered biology classroom, identify major classroom challenges and methods of approaching them, write effective assessment questions and provide effective feedback to students, lead productive and effective class discussions, and demonstrate understanding of how people learn and apply learner-centered teaching approaches to developing effective lesson plans.