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)