An Inquiry-Based Approach for Non-Majors' Introductory Biology

生物科学(61)随着我们的社会继续变得更加以技术为导向，大学毕业生理解科学过程并具有使用技术设备的经验的需求变得越来越重要。该项目旨在重组西伊利诺伊大学的入门非专业生物学实验室。我们正在调整俄克拉荷马州立大学开发的生物学项目的组成部分，包括基于探究的实验室(例如，包含假设检验、模拟、建模和案例研究的实验室)和使用实验室前活动，以确保学生为每个实验室做好充分准备。这是几个项目中的第一个，这些项目旨在彻底改革我们的生物学入门课程，以使其与当前的学习理论保持一致。我们从非专业课程开始，因为它们的注册人数最多，而且主要是女性和大多数教育专业的学生。这个项目将帮助我们更好地满足这些学生的需求。我们的项目旨在加强学生对生物概念和科学过程的理解，并为学生提供适合技术世界的经验。这一目标正在通过发展新的实验室活动并结合使用计算机技术、电泳法和其他现代生物技术来实现。最后，由于这些课程是由大多数寻求小学教师资格认证的学生参加的，这一变化旨在加强他们对国家科学教育标准支持的实验室体验类型的理解。这些实验室还被设计为未来教师在自己的教室中实施该标准时的典范。

Biological Sciences (61) As our society has continued to become more technologically oriented, the need for college graduates to understand the processes of science and to have experience using technological devices has become increasingly important. This project is designed to restructure the introductory non-majors biology laboratories at Western Illinois University. We are adapting components of the biology program developed at Oklahoma State University, including inquiry-based labs (e.g., labs that incorporate hypothesis testing, simulations, modeling, and case studies) and the use of pre-lab activities to ensure students are fully prepared for each lab. This is the first of several projects designed to overhaul our introductory biology program in order to keep it aligned with current learning theory. We are starting with the non-majors courses because they have the highest enrollments and they are taken primarily by women and most students majoring in education. This project will help us better meet the needs of these students. Our project is designed to enhance students' understanding of biological concepts and the processes of science and to provide students with experiences appropriate for a technological world. This goal is being accomplished by developing new laboratory activities and incorporating use of computer technologies, electrophoresis, and other modern biological techniques. Finally, because these courses are taken by most students seeking elementary teacher certification, this change is designed to enhance their understanding of the types of laboratory experiences supported by the National Science Education Standards. The labs are also designed to serve as a model for future teachers as they implement the Standards in their own classrooms.