Integrating Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Quantitative Skills in the Lecture/Lab for Non-Traditional Black Students

通过这笔赠款，一项全面的课程开发项目将批判性思维和解决问题的技能融入现有课程。之所以需要这样一个项目，是因为缺乏对抽象概念的经验，而许多黑人学生把这些抽象概念带到了课堂上。新的教学方法利用了各种多媒体计算机增强的学习工具，将所有科学课程统一起来，并将重点放在一个连贯的单元中。随着学生解释、分析和形象化科学概念的能力作为各种指导经验的结果而建立起来，概念桥梁正在建立起来。制定的策略融合了有效的沟通、批判性思维和解决问题的技能。这些技能的融合注重更高层次思维技能的发展，为学生提供更有价值的科学教育。此外，这种体验可以增加留存、学生入学人数、学生信心和对课程内容的掌握。新设备本身不能对学生进入科学职业生涯产生重大影响，也不能保证获得有益的科学体验。然而，通过仔细地将这些工具整合到现有课程中，教师、学生和计算机多媒体支持系统之间实现了微妙的平衡。这种平衡可以使学生对科学有更深的理解和欣赏。

Through this grant, a comprehensive curriculum development project integrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills into existing curriculum. The need for such a project springs from a lack of experiences with abstract concepts that many black students bring to the classroom. The new teaching methodology utilizes a variety of multimedia computer-enhanced learning tools that will unify and focus all science courses into a cohesive unit. Concept bridges are being built as the student's ability to interpret, analyze, and visualize concepts in science is developed as a result of a variety of guided experiences. Developed strategies integrate effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The integration of these skills focuses attention on the development of higher level thinking skills and provides students with a more valuable science education. Moreover, this experience can lead to increased retention, student enrollment, student confidence, and mastery of course content. The new equipment alone cannot make a significant impact on student entry into science careers nor guarantee a rewarding science experience. However, by careful integration of these tools into the existing curriculum, a delicate balance is achieved among the teacher, student, and computer multimedia support system. This balance can produce a student with a far deeper understanding and appreciation of science.