JoinResearch and Teaching
Less Text, More Learning
A Modest Instructional Strategy That Supports Language-Learning Science Students
Journal of College Science Teaching—September/October 2020 (Volume 50, Issue 1)
By Benjamin Wiggins, Hannah Jordt, and Kerri Wingert
English language learners are increasingly entering classrooms using student-centered instruction that places a greater emphasis on spoken language. While active learning is beneficial for a range of student outcomes, these practices force language learners to carry a heavy cognitive load in a complex and challenging environment. This experiment varied the complexity of the learning experience across a large, multi-section active classroom by presenting different versions of an in-class worksheet to each section. This experiment was controlled for instructor, topic, content, and environment, and treatment groups varied only in lexical density and amount of the language used on a worksheet. This modest variation in instruction corresponded to significantly improved learning as demonstrated on a pre- and post test for international students who represent a conservative proxy group for language learners. These data imply that the effectiveness of active learning strategies can be enriched for English language learners by designing learning materials that are simplified in language.
English language learners are increasingly entering classrooms using student-centered instruction that places a greater emphasis on spoken language. While active learning is beneficial for a range of student outcomes, these practices force language learners to carry a heavy cognitive load in a complex and challenging environment. This experiment varied the complexity of the learning experience across a large, multi-section active classroom by presenting different versions of an in-class worksheet to each section.
English language learners are increasingly entering classrooms using student-centered instruction that places a greater emphasis on spoken language. While active learning is beneficial for a range of student outcomes, these practices force language learners to carry a heavy cognitive load in a complex and challenging environment. This experiment varied the complexity of the learning experience across a large, multi-section active classroom by presenting different versions of an in-class worksheet to each section.
Research and Teaching
Learning Science With Mobile Technologies
Opportunities for Enhancing Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Science Conceptual Understanding
Journal of College Science Teaching—September/October 2020 (Volume 50, Issue 1)
By Deepika Menon, Zarah Salas, Allison Mellendick, Meera Chandrasekhar, and Dorina Kosztin
The use of technology is increasing rapidly in our society, and classroom teachers must recognize the impact and importance of technology in the lives of their students. It is crucial that college faculty involved in teacher training design courses that integrate mobile technologies to prepare the next generation of teachers. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of an iPad-based curriculum app, Exploring Physics, to enhance preservice elementary teachers’ physics conceptual understanding in a physical science content course. Data were collected using a pre-and postPhysics Conceptual Understanding (PCU) survey and open-ended questionnaires. We found significant statistical gains in participants’ (N = 73) physics conceptual understanding at the end of the course. Qualitative findings suggest that the learning experience allowed participants to experience the pedagogical affordances of mobile technologies as learners and future teachers and found themselves to be more comfortable with the idea of integrating technology into their future classrooms. The results of this study provide insights into the importance of providing preservice teachers with opportunities to experience the use of mobile technologies in their teacher preparation programs.
The use of technology is increasing rapidly in our society, and classroom teachers must recognize the impact and importance of technology in the lives of their students. It is crucial that college faculty involved in teacher training design courses that integrate mobile technologies to prepare the next generation of teachers. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of an iPad-based curriculum app, Exploring Physics, to enhance preservice elementary teachers’ physics conceptual understanding in a physical science content course.
The use of technology is increasing rapidly in our society, and classroom teachers must recognize the impact and importance of technology in the lives of their students. It is crucial that college faculty involved in teacher training design courses that integrate mobile technologies to prepare the next generation of teachers. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of an iPad-based curriculum app, Exploring Physics, to enhance preservice elementary teachers’ physics conceptual understanding in a physical science content course.
Research and Teaching
A Journey to Acceptance
A Study of Biology Majors’ Attitudes Toward Evolution Throughout Their University Coursework
Journal of College Science Teaching—September/October 2020 (Volume 50, Issue 1)
By Chad Talbot, Zeegan George, and T. Heath Ogden
The main objective of this study was to characterize the acceptance of evolution among biology majors. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to track the opinions of students in relation to two aspects of evolution: (1) attitudes toward evolution in general and (2) attitudes toward human evolution. The participants characterized their acceptance of evolution for three distinct times during their university coursework; (1) at the beginning of their degree (before attending the university), (2) at the beginning of the capstone evolution course, and (3) at the end of the evolution course. Their acceptance of evolution in general changed from 31% to 79% to 98%, respectively, and their acceptance of human evolution changed from 26% to 55% to 95.2% respectively. This study investigated some of the factors that influence acceptance, such as an increased knowledge of the evidences, a religious scientist role model, and a reconciliation of scientific and religious worldviews. The results indicate that for biology majors in this study, the accumulated knowledge of the evidences of evolution over the duration of their degrees was the most influential factor.
The main objective of this study was to characterize the acceptance of evolution among biology majors. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to track the opinions of students in relation to two aspects of evolution: (1) attitudes toward evolution in general and (2) attitudes toward human evolution.
The main objective of this study was to characterize the acceptance of evolution among biology majors. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to track the opinions of students in relation to two aspects of evolution: (1) attitudes toward evolution in general and (2) attitudes toward human evolution.
High School | Daily Do
How Did The Moth Population Change?
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Teaching Sciences With Impact Using the Lectorial Approach: Stimulating Active Learning
Journal of College Science Teaching—September/October 2020 (Volume 50, Issue 1)
By Jyothi Thalluri and Joy Penman
This article reports on students’ experiences of the lectorial approach that was implemented for health science students studying sciences at a South Australian university. A lectorial, based on active student-centered learning, is a newly-designed teaching method for a large-scale class employing interactive activities to enhance student engagement. Students prepare for lectorials through conceptual-based, prerecorded lectures and online materials and identify aspects that need further clarification. During the lectorial, students have opportunities to think critically, reason, and solve problems. Students were asked to complete a questionnaire on the lectorial and how it impacted them. The results indicated that the students valued the lectorial approach, as it helped them to learn and understand the course content better and maintain their interest and attention. The lectorial-style presentation provided opportunities for connection, relevance, and active learning. Students recommended it for this course and other courses, as well as for future students.
This article reports on students’ experiences of the lectorial approach that was implemented for health science students studying sciences at a South Australian university. A lectorial, based on active student-centered learning, is a newly-designed teaching method for a large-scale class employing interactive activities to enhance student engagement. Students prepare for lectorials through conceptual-based, prerecorded lectures and online materials and identify aspects that need further clarification.
This article reports on students’ experiences of the lectorial approach that was implemented for health science students studying sciences at a South Australian university. A lectorial, based on active student-centered learning, is a newly-designed teaching method for a large-scale class employing interactive activities to enhance student engagement. Students prepare for lectorials through conceptual-based, prerecorded lectures and online materials and identify aspects that need further clarification.
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Factors Associated With Students Graduating With STEM Degrees at a Military Academy: Improving Success by Identifying Early Obstacles
Journal of College Science Teaching—September/October 2020 (Volume 50, Issue 1)
By Jessica H. Dwyer, Wilson J. González-Espada, Kimberly de la Harpe, and David C. Meier
The United States is not graduating enough science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors for the increasing number of available employment opportunities and national security needs. The purpose of this study was to quantify the magnitude of STEM attrition at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), a military service academy and one of the three commissioning sources of officers for the United States Air Force. Also, the study identified factors associated with STEM attrition among students. Despite strong academic preparation, of the students who reported their intention to major in a STEM discipline as incoming freshmen, 36.4% switched and graduated with a nonSTEM degree. Two binary logistic regressions revealed that the best predictors associated with students graduating with a STEM major were their initial intention and motivation to major in these disciplines upon arrival at the USAFA and course grades in Calculus I, Calculus-based General Physics I, and Applications of Chemistry I. These findings suggest that, as in many other universities, students motivated to major in STEM may switch out if they struggle with prerequisite quantitative courses.
The United States is not graduating enough science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors for the increasing number of available employment opportunities and national security needs. The purpose of this study was to quantify the magnitude of STEM attrition at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), a military service academy and one of the three commissioning sources of officers for the United States Air Force. Also, the study identified factors associated with STEM attrition among students.
The United States is not graduating enough science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors for the increasing number of available employment opportunities and national security needs. The purpose of this study was to quantify the magnitude of STEM attrition at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), a military service academy and one of the three commissioning sources of officers for the United States Air Force. Also, the study identified factors associated with STEM attrition among students.
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A Research-Based Checklist for Development and Critique of STEM Instructional Videos
Journal of College Science Teaching—September/October 2020 (Volume 50, Issue 1)
By Sherry Seethaler, Adam J. Burgasser, Thomas J. Bussey, John Eggers, Stanley M. Lo, Jeffrey M. Rabin, Laura Stevens, and Haim Weizman
The technical barriers to video production are decreasing and the popularity of video as an instructional medium in science is increasing. Although a large body of education research is available to inform the selection and design of instructional videos, this research is dispersed across journals, disciplinary traditions, and STEM fields, and the practical lessons are not readily accessible to readers. To guide the development and critique of science and mathematics instructional videos, our interdisciplinary team, with members from mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, has developed an instrument by synthesizing the relevant education literature and translating it into recommendations for practice. The user-friendly instrument is a 12-item checklist grouped into the categories of content and sequencing (concepts, logic, story, and language), cognitive supports (visualizations, signals, synchronization, segmentation, and streamlining) and affective considerations (relevance, rapport, and accessibility). The instrument provides a conceptual foundation and evaluation framework for designers of educational videos.
The technical barriers to video production are decreasing and the popularity of video as an instructional medium in science is increasing. Although a large body of education research is available to inform the selection and design of instructional videos, this research is dispersed across journals, disciplinary traditions, and STEM fields, and the practical lessons are not readily accessible to readers.
The technical barriers to video production are decreasing and the popularity of video as an instructional medium in science is increasing. Although a large body of education research is available to inform the selection and design of instructional videos, this research is dispersed across journals, disciplinary traditions, and STEM fields, and the practical lessons are not readily accessible to readers.
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Designing to Disrupt Traditional Conceptions of Scientific Competence
Journal of College Science Teaching—September/October 2020 (Volume 50, Issue 1)
By Sabriya N. Rosemond, Erin S. Palmer, Kelly C. Y. Wong, Vishnu Murthy, and Angelica M. Stacy
Pervasive narratives about who and what counts as competent in science disproportionately impact students historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and are perpetuated in the design of STEM courses. Equity-focused education literature argues for the need to develop robust learning ecologies that support and develop the talents of all students. Here we describe the design of such an ecology in an introductory chemistry course at a large, public research university. The goals of the redesign were to: support students to see chemistry as an expansive and inclusive set of practices, define chemical competence explicitly as participation in these practices, and provide opportunities for students to engage in this new landscape throughout various aspects of the course. This holistic course redesign required the development of group-worthy, collaborative, in-class activities; complementary social supports alongside the creation of practice-centered assessments; and space for students to reflect on their relationship with chemistry as it shifted throughout the semester. We find that the structure of the in-class activities supports student engagement in scientific practices and that students who adopt a more expansive definition of what it means to be “good” at chemistry see themselves as such, irrespective of their grades.
Pervasive narratives about who and what counts as competent in science disproportionately impact students historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and are perpetuated in the design of STEM courses. Equity-focused education literature argues for the need to develop robust learning ecologies that support and develop the talents of all students. Here we describe the design of such an ecology in an introductory chemistry course at a large, public research university.
Pervasive narratives about who and what counts as competent in science disproportionately impact students historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and are perpetuated in the design of STEM courses. Equity-focused education literature argues for the need to develop robust learning ecologies that support and develop the talents of all students. Here we describe the design of such an ecology in an introductory chemistry course at a large, public research university.
Two-Year Community
Identifying Differences in Learning Strategies by Demographics and Course Grade in a Community College Context
Journal of College Science Teaching—September/October 2020 (Volume 50, Issue 1)
By Matthew R. Fisher, Deborah Cole, Youngha Oh, and Sheela Vemu
Metacognition and self-regulated learning are skills that contribute to student success, but few studies have examined these topics within a community college context. We addressed this lack of understanding by asking community college biology students to metacognitively reflect on their learning strategies. We took a novel approach in our analysis by investigating how learning strategies potentially differed based on race, age, gender, and final course grade. With some exceptions, we found little evidence to suggest that such differences existed. Notably, we found that learning strategies did not differ between high-achieving and low-achieving students, which contradicts previous studies. We offer several possible explanations for these preliminary results, which include misrepresentation by students in their reflecctions, external and internal barriers to studying, potential flaws in our survey instrument, and students not effectively using learning strategies. We suggest replication of this study with methodological changes to further investigate any potential differences that may exist among these groups of students. Our research is an example of how classroom action research can provide insight into how students learn, which empowers us to make evidence-based changes in our teaching.