The NCAT The NCAT ProjectProject

Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana University of PennsylvaniaDepartment of BiologyDepartment of Biology

David H. Pistole, W. Barkley Butler, Carl S. David H. Pistole, W. Barkley Butler, Carl S. Luciano, Sandra J. Newell,Luciano, Sandra J. Newell,

Cheryl Samuels, Nick Kolb, Bill Balint, Rick Cheryl Samuels, Nick Kolb, Bill Balint, Rick McFerron, Susan Boser, John S. EckMcFerron, Susan Boser, John S. Eck

Consultant: Elizabeth ConnorConsultant: Elizabeth Connor

Principles of Biology IPrinciples of Biology I

First semester of two-semester First semester of two-semester sequence for Biology majors (B.S., sequence for Biology majors (B.S., B.A., Biology Education, Pre-B.A., Biology Education, Pre-Professional, Environmental Health Professional, Environmental Health Sciences)Sciences)

Required course for other science Required course for other science majorsmajors

Implemented in mid-1990’sImplemented in mid-1990’s Approximately 200 students per year Approximately 200 students per year

About the CourseAbout the Course Foundations courseFoundations course How to do scienceHow to do science Lead-in for Lead-in for

undergraduate undergraduate research, research, internships, etc.internships, etc.

Emphasis on active Emphasis on active learning and higher learning and higher level thinkinglevel thinking

SAT and Course SAT and Course PerformancePerformance

y = -0.0868x + 124.03

R2 = 0.9391

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Total SAT Score

Perc

ent D

/F/W

How do we redesign Principles of Biology to meet How do we redesign Principles of Biology to meet our current students’ level of preparation while our current students’ level of preparation while maintaining our original vision for the course?maintaining our original vision for the course?

Incoming SAT and Principles I % DFWQ

950

1000

1050

1100

1150

1200

Academic Year (Fall)In

com

ing

SA

T

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Prin

cipl

es I

% D

FWQ

Biology

Nat. Sci.

Average

%DFWQ

Choice of Redesign Choice of Redesign ModelModel

Statewide faculty collective Statewide faculty collective bargaining agreementbargaining agreement

Reduction in class time in Fall, 2007Reduction in class time in Fall, 2007 Need to shift learning experiences Need to shift learning experiences

outside traditional lectureoutside traditional lecture Choice of Supplemental Model Choice of Supplemental Model

Redesign ChangesRedesign Changes

Out of class, technology-based Out of class, technology-based activities and on-line quizzesactivities and on-line quizzes

More active learning environment More active learning environment with interactive, in class questions with interactive, in class questions (clicker system) and discussions(clicker system) and discussions

Smaller learning increments, more Smaller learning increments, more rapid reinforcementrapid reinforcement

““Stepping stones”Stepping stones”

Results: General Results: General Comparison 2007Comparison 2007

Course TypeCourse Type Average Average Exam Grade Exam Grade

(%)(%)

DFW (%)DFW (%)

TraditionalTraditional 5858 43 (9% W)43 (9% W)

RedesignedRedesigned 6262 46 (17% W)46 (17% W)

Results: Exam Grades Results: Exam Grades 20072007

Exam Grades:Traditional and Redesigned Course

01020304050607080

1 2 3

Exam Number

Exam

Grad

e (%)

Traditional Redesigned

Essay Question Grades

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1 2 3

Exam NumberGr

ade

(%)

Traditional Redesigned

Pilot Project Cost Pilot Project Cost SavingsSavings

TraditionaTraditionall

RedesigneRedesignedd

Total Course Total Course Cost ($)Cost ($)

36,65236,652 38,34638,346

# Students # Students EnrolledEnrolled

6767 7878

Cost/Student ($)Cost/Student ($) 547547 491491

Savings/Student Savings/Student ($)($)

00 56 (10%)56 (10%)

Pilot Project: ConclusionsPilot Project: Conclusions Students in the redesigned course Students in the redesigned course

performed as well as students in the performed as well as students in the traditional course.traditional course.

The cost/student for the 78 students in The cost/student for the 78 students in the redesigned course was about 90% the redesigned course was about 90% of that for the 67 students in the of that for the 67 students in the traditional course.traditional course.

Pilot Project: Issues and ObstaclesPilot Project: Issues and Obstacles Technology implementation-Technology implementation-

computers and clickerscomputers and clickers Administrative personnel changesAdministrative personnel changes Volume of work during the semesterVolume of work during the semester