INTEGRATING MODELING INSTRUCTION THROUGHOUT A LARGE LECTURE INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY COURSE

Lisa Limeri & Dr. Sam Donovan

WHAT IS MODELING INSTRUCTION?

Organizing course content around core models in the discipline and providing students with opportunities to build, use, and evaluate those models (Brewe 2008)

BENEFITS OF MODELING INSTRUCTION

• Learning gains related to disciplinary content & nature of science learning outcomes

• Help students feel more connected to discipline

• Promotes active problem-solving

Desbien 2002, Wilson et al. 2006

MODELING INSTRUCTION IN BIOSCI 0160

Dr. Sam Donovan’s course already includes a number of models

MODELING INSTRUCTION IN BIOSCI 0160

Dr. Sam Donovan’s course already includes a number of models

Recent focus group revealed that students did not see modeling as a theme in the course

• Did not build modeling skills throughout the course

MODELING INSTRUCTION IN BIOSCI 0160

Dr. Sam Donovan’s course already includes a number of models

Recent focus group revealed that students did not see modeling as a theme in the course

• Did not build modeling skills throughout the course

Course transformation will make modeling an apparent theme and provide students a framework for learning about and using models

RECITATIONS

1. Black box – introduction to modeling

2. Lac Operon model – gene regulation

3. Population genetics model

4. Population growth models

5. Community population dynamic model