Embedded Learning Modules (ELMO'S): A New Approach for Teaching SME&T to Non-Science Majors

东北大学开发了一个概念-被称为ELMOs（嵌入式学习模块）计划-在整个非科学课程中自然整合科学和技术的渐进学习经验。 我们正在开发，实施和评估一套综合实验室和实地经验，这些经验将自然嵌入非科学课程所需的主要课程中。 我们的埃尔莫模型明确使用强化学习，学生体验一系列渐进的累积经验，以形成对关键概念，方法和原则的连贯理解。 每一套经验都是由科学，工程和非科学教师的跨学科团队设计的，与特定的非科学“客户”专业的学习无缝衔接，使学生认识到科学和技术与他们的学科兴趣的直接相关性。 例如，音乐专业的学生在学习各种乐器的声音产生和声学设计等课题时，通过音乐课程中的物理和工程实验，了解波动现象 以获得最佳的声音效果。 这些实验室实验是由现场经验，学生与专业人士在他们的学科互动，以了解科学和技术在他们的工作中的直接应用补充-例如，访问当地的交响乐霍尔斯和剧院，研究和评估各种声学设计，并与表演者和声学工程师进行联合采访。 我们认为，学生只保留他们想要保留的知识和技能;如果科学和技术似乎与他们的学术和职业兴趣无关，他们将简单地完成他们必须完成的这些领域的入门必修课程-并迅速忘记他们学到的原理和概念。因此，非科学专业的学生重新认识科学、数学、工程和技术在他们生活中的相关性至关重要。埃尔莫项目将相关的SME T课程嵌入非科学课程中选定的必修和连续课程中，从而实现这一目标。一个埃尔莫科学和工程实验室诊所正在为这个项目建造和配备人员，这代表了大学的大量财政投资，反映了它对这个项目的长期承诺。 我们相信，学生将获得并保留通过埃尔莫计划在科学和技术的概念和原则更广泛和更深入的理解比他们在传统的通识教育格式目前在大多数本科院校。

Northeastern University has developed a concept - known as ELMOs (for Embedded Learning Modules) program - for naturally integrating progressive learning experiences in science and technology throughout non-science curricula. We are developing, implementing, and evaluating a set of integrated laboratory and field experiences that will be naturally embedded within required major courses in non-science curricula. Our ELMO model explicitly uses reinforcement learning in which students experience an integrated set of progressive, cumulative experiences in order to develop a coherent understanding of key concepts, methodologies, and principles. Each set of experiences are designed by cross-disciplinary teams of science, engineering, and non-science faculty members to mesh seamlessly with study within a particular non-science 'client' major so that students will recognize the direct relevance of science and technology to their disciplinary interests. For example, music students are introduced to wave phenomena through physics and engineering experiments in their music courses as they study such topics as the production of sound by various instruments, and the acoustical design of auditoriums for optimal sound effects. These laboratory experiments are supplemented by field experiences in which students interact with professionals in their disciplines to understand the direct applications of science and technology in their work - e.g., in the form of visits to local symphony halls and theaters for the study and evaluation of various acoustical designs and through joint interviews with performers and acoustical engineers. We contend that students only retain knowledge and skills that they want to retain; if science and technology seem irrelevant to their academic and career interests, they will simply complete whatever introductory required courses in these areas that they must - and promptly forget the principles and concepts that they learned. Thus, it is critical that non-science majors r ecognize the relevance of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology SME&T in their lives. The ELMO project embeds pertinent SME&T coursework in selected required and sequential courses in non-science curricula, thereby achieving this objective. An ELMO Science and Engineering Laboratory Clinic is being constructed and staffed for this project, representing a substantial financial investment by the university and reflecting its long-term commitment to this project. We are convinced that students will acquire and retain both broader and deeper understanding of concepts and principles in science and technology through the ELMO program than they do under the traditional general education formats currently in place at most undergraduate institutions.