Improving Quantitative Reasoning and Inquiry-Based Learning in the Undergraduate Biology Curriculum

提高本科生物课程中的定量推理和探究性学习

• 批准号: 0633017
• 负责人: Amy Verhoeven
• 金额: $ 16.35万
• 依托单位: University of St. Thomas
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-02-01 至 2010-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0633017&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Improving; Quantitative; Reasoning; Inquiry; Based

Life Science Biological (61) By increasing the emphasis on quantitative reasoning and inquiry-based activities in life science laboratory courses, faculty at the University of St. Thomas (UST) and North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) are encouraging more students to consider doing research. A first year introductory biology laboratory and a mid-level plant biology laboratory are being revised by faculty collaborating at these schools. Digital microscopy and quantitative analysis of gas exchange are being brought into the introductory laboratory curriculum. The addition of these technologies and the associated curricular changes are targeting four specific objectives:- better integration of math skills and higher order thinking skills in biology.- improving and expanding inquiry-based laboratories to create better links with ongoing research projects.- students working with organisms to understand the relationship of structure to function leading to greater understanding of biological diversity.- use of technology in small groups to promote cooperative learning and a sense of community within each laboratory.Intellectual Merit: Student gains are being assessed using attitudinal surveys, comparisons of student performance on laboratory examinations before and after the implementation of new technology-enhanced laboratory exercises, and tests of scientific and quantitative reasoning pre- and post-semester. Results are being examined to detect effects of curricular changes on different populations of students. Broader Impacts: Curricular use of research technology is intended to challenge students toward higher order thinking, and, as a result, to increase student enthusiasm and engagement in lower division life science labs. This collaboration between a university and community college helps acquaint more students from diverse backgrounds with people who work together to carry out science research endeavors.

生命科学生物学（61）通过在生命科学实验室课程中增加对定量推理和基于探究的活动的重视，圣托马斯大学（UST）和北亨内平社区学院（NHCC）的教师鼓励更多的学生考虑做研究。 一年级的入门生物学实验室和中级植物生物学实验室正在由这些学校的教师合作修订。数字显微镜和气体交换的定量分析正在被纳入入门实验室课程。这些技术的增加和相关的课程变化针对四个具体目标：-更好地整合数学技能和生物学中的高阶思维技能。改善和扩大以调查为基础的实验室，以便与正在进行的研究项目建立更好的联系。学生与生物体合作，了解结构与功能的关系，从而更好地了解生物多样性。智力成绩：通过态度调查、比较实施新技术强化实验练习前后的学生实验考试成绩，以及学期前后的科学和定量推理测试，评估学生的成绩。 目前正在审查结果，以查明课程改革对不同学生群体的影响。 更广泛的影响：研究技术的课程使用的目的是挑战学生对高阶思维，并因此，提高学生的热情和参与较低的分工生命科学实验室。大学和社区学院之间的这种合作有助于让更多来自不同背景的学生了解共同开展科学研究工作的人。