ERIC Number: EJ847047
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1536-7509
EISSN: N/A
Using a Module-Based Laboratory to Incorporate Inquiry into a Large Cell Biology Course
Howard, David R.; Miskowski, Jennifer A.
Cell Biology Education, v4 n3 p249-260 Fall 2005
Because cell biology has rapidly increased in breadth and depth, instructors are challenged not only to provide undergraduate science students with a strong, up-to-date foundation of knowledge, but also to engage them in the scientific process. To these ends, revision of the Cell Biology Lab course at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was undertaken to allow student involvement in experimental design, emphasize data collection and analysis, make connections to the "big picture," and increase student interest in the field. Multiweek laboratory modules were developed as a method to establish an inquiry-based learning environment. Each module utilizes relevant techniques to investigate one or more questions within the context of a fictional story, and there is a progression during the semester from more instructor-guided to more open-ended student investigation. An assessment tool was developed to evaluate student attitudes regarding their lab experience. Analysis of five semesters of data strongly supports the module format as a successful model for inquiry education by increasing student interest and improving attitude toward learning. In addition, student performance on inquiry-based assignments improved over the course of each semester, suggesting an improvement in inquiry-related skills. (Contains 3 tables and 5 figures.)
Descriptors: Student Attitudes, Student Interests, Inquiry, Active Learning, Cytology, Biology, Science Instruction, College Science, Science Laboratories, Learning Modules, Science Process Skills, Student Evaluation, Attitude Measures, Undergraduate Study, Test Construction, Evaluation Methods
American Society for Cell Biology. 8120 Woodmont Avenue Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-2762. Tel: 301-347-9300; Fax: 301-347-9310; E-mail: ascbinfo@ascb.org; Website: http://www.ascb.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A