ERIC Number: EJ964615
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Sep
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-231X
EISSN: N/A
Extended Problem-Based Learning Improves Scientific Communication in Senior Biology Students
Kolber, Benedict J.
Journal of College Science Teaching, v41 n1 p32-39 Sep 2011
This article describes a model of extended problem-based learning that instructed upper-level undergraduate students to focus on a single biological problem while improving their critical thinking, presentation, and scientific-writing skills. This course was developed in response to students' requests for formal training in oral presentation methods and hypothesis development. The goal for each student was not to learn a set of facts related to their biological problem. Instead, the goal was to teach the students that they could become experts in any biological problem through a cooperative process. To encourage this process, students learned about internet and library research of primary-scientific literature, strategies for reading literature, tips on presentation skills, and strategies for hypothesis development. Although this pilot course was done with a small cohort of students, direct and indirect assessments demonstrated an increase in the students' confidence to master material and in their comfort with oral and written presentation of scientific data over the course of the semester. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Expertise, Undergraduate Students, Library Research, Action Research, Problem Based Learning, Biology, Writing Skills, Teaching Methods, Science Instruction, Critical Thinking, Learning Processes, Models
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A