Using Google Drive Technology to Enhance Quantitative Learning and

Understanding of Personal Natural Resource Use

Boston University 2013 Instructional Innovation Conference

Peter Busher & Andy Andres

Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

College of General Studies

Boston University

Innovation OUTLine

• CGS Natural Sciences – Goals and Learning Objectives

• Introduction to Google Drive Technology

• How this Project Supports the Learning Objectives in the Course

• Results – Big Data

• How this Technology can be Applied to all Disciplines

The Natural Sciences at the College of General Studies:

Goals and Learning Objectives

• Exciting pedagogical opportunity because our students are non-majors and this is a required course

• Learn the process of science through active participation

• Develop critical thinking skills

• Develop each student’s sense of becoming an active “citizen scientist”

• Encourage participation in scientific problems they will encounter in the lifetimes

• Further understanding of nature and the role humans play in the world

Major Paradigm of NS 202: Human Ecology

• A Course Designed to teach (mostly) non-majors about:• Science of Ecology• Fundamentals of Environmental Science• Human Ecology • Urban Ecology, specifically the ecology in and

around the Boston area• Develop skills useful across disciplines

Google drive

Personal resource Use

• Enhance Student Learningo Go beyond small groups or

individuals (big data v. small data)

o Use of models to understand ecological systems

o Use statistics and quantitative reasoning

Towards Big Data

Summary

• Students used free Google Drive technology to create large datasets

• Enhanced student awareness of personal resource use

• Enhanced student awareness of average BU student resource use

• Enhanced quantitative and analytical skills for students who are non-majors in science

• Using technology to enhance learning that is applicable across disciplines

Acknowledgements

The Students at the College of General Studies

Carol Donovan and Rayhme Cleary of the College of General Studies