Facilitating the Comprehension of Biological Principles through the Creation of Modules Utilizing Interactive Computer Assisted Instruction and Hands-on Investigative Exercises

生物科学（61）五个教学，互动模块促进批判性思维，解决问题的能力，理解和创造力正在开发中。 每个模块包括通过计算机的介绍性教程，调查性实验室练习和学习材料的实际应用。 模块设计的灵感来自备受赞誉和NSF资助的BioQUEST项目，这些项目使生物学学生有机会参与实践科学家的活动。 这个项目建立在他们的理念，但提供了更大的灵活性，在剪裁交付物，以满足特定的课程需要，提供了一个增强的视觉组件，结合多媒体技术，并与外部专业人士的帮助下，带来启发和/或评估学生的日常情况相关的信息。 合作者包括来自蒙哥马利学院生物系和数学科学学习中心的教职员工，以及来自卡顿斯维尔社区学院和数字咨询与培训公司的教学计算机设计专家。 通过对学生和教师的学业成绩和满意度进行短期和长期检查，并通过全面评价计划进行评估，以评估是否成功。 衡量项目成功与否的方法是比较学生的留存率，特别是那些经济和教育上处于不利地位的学生，他们接受了修订后的课程，与对照组的学生相比。 此外，项目的成功是衡量教师的行为和教学的修改反映在课程设计和开发，积极参与，热情和工作满意度。 积极的成果正在被纳入蒙哥马利学院的本科课程，作为不断调整科学入门课程的一部分。 项目成果正在地方、区域和国家各级通过暑期教师培训班、在面向教育的会议上的介绍和通过因特网提供的五个跨平台互动模块进行传播。

Biological Sciences (61) Five instructional, interactive modules promoting critical thinking, problem-solving skills, understanding, and creativity are in development. Each module consists of an introductory tutorial via computer, investigative laboratory exercises, and practical applications of learned material. Module design is inspired by highly acclaimed and NSF-funded BioQUEST projects that give biology students the opportunity to engage in activities like those of practicing scientists. This project builds on their philosophy but offers increased flexibility in terms of tailoring deliverables to meet specific curricular needs, provides an enhanced visual component incorporating multimedia technology, and correlates presented information with everyday situations with the help of outside professionals brought in to enlighten and/or evaluate students. Collaborators include faculty and staff from the Biology Department and Math-Science Learning Center at Montgomery College and instructional computer design experts from Catonsville Community College and Digital Consulting and Training, Inc. Success is being evaluated via short-term and long-term examination of student and faculty academic performance and satisfaction as assessed through a comprehensive evaluation plan. Project success is being measured by comparing the retention rate of students, particularly those who are economically and educationally disadvantaged, exposed to the revised curriculum with those in the control group. Furthermore, project success is being measured as behavioral and instructional modification of instructors reflected as active participation in course design and development, enthusiasm, and job satisfaction. Positive results are being incorporated into undergraduate curricula at Montgomery College as part of the continuous restructuring of introductory science courses. Project results are being disseminated at the local, regional, and national levels through summer teacher institutes, presentations at education-oriented meetings and five cross-platform interactive modules delivered via the Internet.