Teaching in Biology

Catalog description

This course will train biology teaching assistants to teach in the laboratory/ recitation setting with emphasis on critical thinking skills. BIOL 400 BIOL 400 Teaching in Biology (1-3) This course provides teaching assistants with the fundamentals they will need to be effective in the laboratory and/or recitation classroom. Students will learn the fundamental skills needed to; design lesson plans; facilitate class discussions; write effective quizzes; communicate learning expectations; grade fairly; and in the case of the laboratory setting, maintain a safe learning environment. Students enrolled in this course will also be serving as teaching assistants and consequently faculty who serve as course instructors and/or lab coordinators in the relevant course will provide the instruction. Through regular meetings the course instructors will help teaching assistants adjust to their duties and solve common problems that arise in the laboratory/recitation environment. Emphasis will be placed on how teaching assistants can facilitate active learning and help their students develop sound study skills. Students enrolled in this course will be evaluated on regular attendance, organization in and preparation for their teaching, and clarity in how they communicate with their students.