New Intro Bio Approach

Meeting Notes

What are the learning objectives for the course?

Students should be able to:

1) Describe the central ideas of biology, and explain them by providing examples at multiple levels of conceptualization and analysis.

2) Apply general principles to new case studies. -how does #2 differ from #1? How do general principles differ from big/central ideas?

3) Analyze data that students have not seen before.

4) Formulate an hypothesis, and design a well controlled experiment to test that hypothesis.

5) Evaluate statements by using specific examples and data that support or refute the statements. -"statements" is vague; what do you mean?

6) Use mathematics to explain biological concepts or specific examples.

7) Formulate an opinion about a biologically-related topic, and defend that opinion with supportive data.

What are the objectives for the assessment?

Compare students in new and traditional introductory biology courses along the following dimensions:

1) Retention of content.

2a) Extraction of biological information from data.
2b) Formulation of testable questions and well controlled experiments.

3) Perceptions of biology as a discipline, and science in general. (What role does vocabulary play?)

4) Enrollment in subsequent more biology courses.

Malcolm:

Ask Dave and Jennifer if they are willing to participate at different levels of assessment (clicker daily, weekly, etc.)
Bio111 faculty need to Agree on all 3 assessment objectives. I will ask about general principles first, and details as they take shape. We will write and assess all tools.
Talk to Kevin about getting 4 color versions of my chapters in 3 hole versions. Approved.

Everyone:

Classes Start 234 August

End of March: agree upon objectives for course and assessment

By Graduation: agree on experimental design and assessment tools

By June 15: submit HSIRB form for approval.

By June 30: draft assessment tools

In July: test assessment tools and get student feedback; revise tools.