Design and Implementation of a Bioliteracy Laboratory Course to Replace Traditional Introductory Non-Majors Biology Laboratories at Colleges and Universities

贝勒大学对“非专业”生物实验课程进行了实质性修订，以包括最近研究表明有效的活动。包括合作学习、探究式教学和强调批判性思维和写作在内的方法取得了成功，但问题依然存在。跨学科研究、扩展生物学经验、教学助理的培训、写作作业的反馈、对学习风格中种族和性别差异的敏感性，以及教学实验室的结构，这些都是需要进一步研究和改进的主题。国家科学基金会拨款将支持跨学科工作组来解决这些问题，并招募和支持对教学感兴趣的杰出科学研究生。贝勒已经承诺为实验室的翻新提供资金，并将寻求单独的拨款或企业合作伙伴关系来改进技术。这一创新的本科生物素养教学课程和强化的助教培训计划将成为综合性研究型大学和学院生物学入门教育的典范。

The "non-majors" biology laboratory course has been substantially revised at Baylor University to include activities shown by recent research to be effective. Methods including cooperative learning, inquiry-based instruction, and emphasis on critical thinking and writing have been successful, but problems remain. Interdisciplinary studies, expanded biology experiences, training of teaching assistants, feedback on writing assignments, sensitivity to ethnic and gender differences in learning styles, and structure of the teaching laboratory are all topics that have been identified for further study and improvement. The National Science Foundation grant will support interdisciplinary workgroups to address these problems and to recruit and support exceptional science graduate students who are interested in teaching. Baylor has committed funds for renovation of the laboratory, and a separate grant or corporate partnership will be solicited to improve technology. This innovative curriculum for undergraduate bioliteracy instruction and an intensive program for training of teaching assistants will serve as models for introductory biology education at comprehensive research universities and colleges.