Enhancing Thinking Skills Using Computers in Non-Majors Biology at a Community College

本学院的科学教师认为，生物学概念的基本知识以及对这些概念与当前社会问题的相关性和适用性的认识对学生做出负责任的人生选择至关重要。该项目的目标是为学生提供工具和活动，帮助他们发展批判性思维，解决问题和决策能力，帮助他们获得这些知识和意识。该项目利用基于计算机的探究性学习活动和计算机技术来提高学生在几个所谓的非专业生物重点课程中的学习。生物系教员正在与俄勒冈大学的工作坊生物学项目教员合作，定制现有的学习活动，并为这些独特的重点课程和非传统学生群体开发新的学习活动。学院以前没有足够的设备来有效地实施这些活动。然而，这些设备使得在三个教室里安装电脑成为可能，这样学生们就可以在各种学习活动中协同工作，培养解决问题和批判性思维。此外，正在建立一个拥有16台计算机的计算机资源中心，以便在课外独立使用。该项目正在通过前后测试和调查来评估，以确定学生培养批判性思维、解决问题和决策技能的程度。透过推广，本计划可作为其他学校发展电脑增强型生物课程的典范。

The science faculty at this college believe that a basic knowledge of biological concepts and an awareness of the relevance and applicability of these concepts to current social issues is essential for students to make responsible life choices. The goal of this project is to provide students with the tools and activities to help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills that will help them achieve this knowledge and awareness. The project utilizes computer-based inquiry-learning activities and computer technology to enhance student learning in several so-called emphasis biology classes for nonmajors. The biology faculty is collaborating with faculty in the University of Oregon's Workshop Biology project to customize existing learning activities and develop new ones for these unique emphasis classes and for the nontraditional student population. The college has not previously had enough equipment to implement these activities effectively. However, the equipment makes it possible to install computers in three classrooms so that students may work collaboratively in a variety of learning activities which foster problem-solving and critical thinking. In addition, a computer resource center with 16 computers is being set up to allow independent use outside of classtime. The project is being evaluated through pre- and post-testing and surveys to determine the degree to which students have developed critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Through dissemination, this project can serve as a model for other schools to develop their own computer-enhanced biology curricula.