reforming biol 1108 nancy l. pencoe. reforms to be tested in selected biol 1108 sections - spring...
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Reforming BIOL Reforming BIOL 11081108
Nancy L. Pencoe Nancy L. Pencoe
Reforming BIOL Reforming BIOL 11081108
Nancy L. Pencoe Nancy L. Pencoe
Reforms to be tested in selected BIOL 1108 sections - Spring 2006:
• PLTL (peer led team learning) workshops
• Structured in-class group activities/ discussions
Goal of PLTL: To introduce students to key
biological concepts starting with very concrete, hands-on problems and progressing to more abstract ones.
How PLTL works:• Students (9-10) meet with a peer
leader outside of class for 2 hours/week.
• Students work as a team to solve problems designed to foster critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Peer leaders are trained to promote discussion rather than provide answers.
Goal of in-class group activities/ discussions:To provide a learning experience
that targets diverse learning styles.
Implementation of reforms:Two sections of BIOL 1108 will be
divided into 2 groups.Group 1 (120-130 students)
Traditional teachingGroup 2 (60-70 students)
Traditional teaching + PLTL + in-class group activities/discussions
Evaluation of reforms will be based on comparisons of:
• pre-test vs. post-test improvement
• academic success (completion of course with A, B, or C)