Interesting Guided-Inquiry Labs for a Large-Enrollment, Active Learning Physics II Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasey Wagoner ◽  
K. Mairin Hynes ◽  
Daniel Flanagan
HAPS Educator ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Vicky Rands ◽  
Suzanne Hood ◽  
Ron Gerrits ◽  
Murray Jensen

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack F. Eichler ◽  
Junelyn Peeples

In the face of mounting evidence revealing active learning approaches result in improved student learning outcomes compared to traditional passive lecturing, there is a growing need to change the way instructors teach large introductory science courses. However, a large proportion of STEM faculty continues to use traditional instructor-centered lectures in their classrooms. In an effort to create a low barrier approach for the implementation of active learning pedagogies in introductory science courses, flipped classroom modules for large enrollment general chemistry course sequence have been created. Herein is described how student response systems (clickers) and problem-based case studies have been used to increase student engagement, and how flipped classroom modules have integrated these case studies as collaborative group problem solving activities in 250–500 seat lecture halls. Preliminary evaluation efforts found the flipped classroom modules provided convenient access to learning materials that increased the use of active learning in lecture and resulted in a significant improvement in the course grade point average (GPA) compared to a non-flipped class. These results suggest this approach to implementing a flipped classroom can act as a model for integrating active learning into large enrollment introductory chemistry courses that yields successful outcomes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. ar3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgianne L. Connell ◽  
Deborah A. Donovan ◽  
Timothy G. Chambers

Student-centered strategies are being incorporated into undergraduate classrooms in response to a call for reform. We tested whether teaching in an extensively student-centered manner (many active-learning pedagogies, consistent formative assessment, cooperative groups; the Extensive section) was more effective than teaching in a moderately student-centered manner (fewer active-learning pedagogies, less formative assessment, without groups; the Moderate section) in a large-enrollment course. One instructor taught both sections of Biology 101 during the same quarter, covering the same material. Students in the Extensive section had significantly higher mean scores on course exams. They also scored significantly higher on a content postassessment when accounting for preassessment score and student demographics. Item response theory analysis supported these results. Students in the Extensive section had greater changes in postinstruction abilities compared with students in the Moderate section. Finally, students in the Extensive section exhibited a statistically greater expert shift in their views about biology and learning biology. We suggest our results are explained by the greater number of active-learning pedagogies experienced by students in cooperative groups, the consistent use of formative assessment, and the frequent use of explicit metacognition in the Extensive section.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Price ◽  
Fred Goldberg ◽  
Stephen J. Robinson ◽  
Danielle Harlow ◽  
Michael McKean ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. ar62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Sellami ◽  
Shanna Shaked ◽  
Frank A. Laski ◽  
Kevin M. Eagan ◽  
Erin R. Sanders

Learning assistant (LA) programs have been implemented at a range of institutions, usually as part of a comprehensive curricular transformation accompanied by a pedagogical switch to active learning. While this shift in pedagogy has led to increased student learning gains, the positive effect of LAs has not yet been distinguished from that of active learning. To determine the effect that LAs would have beyond a student-centered instructional modality that integrated active learning, we introduced an LA program into a large-enrollment introductory molecular biology course that had already undergone a pedagogical transformation to a highly structured, flipped (HSF) format. We used questions from a concept test (CT) and exams to compare student performance in LA-supported HSF courses with student performance in courses without LAs. Students in the LA-supported course did perform better on exam questions common to both HSF course modalities but not on the CT. In particular, LA-supported students’ scores were higher on common exam questions requiring higher-order cognitive skills, which LAs were trained to foster. Additionally, underrepresented minority (URM) students particularly benefited from LA implementation. These findings suggest that LAs may provide additional learning benefits to students beyond the use of active learning, especially for URM students.


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