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Research & Teaching
Initial Development and Validation of the Biology Teaching Assistant Role Identity Questionnaire (BTARIQ)
Journal of College Science Teaching—May/June 2023 (Volume 52, Issue 5)
By Amy E. Kulesza and Dorinda J. Gallant
Graduate teaching assistants (TAs) may identify with multiple roles during their introductory biology teaching experiences. This study developed an instrument that measures TA role identity in introductory biology. Initial development and content validation of the Biology Teaching Assistant Role Identity Questionnaire (BTARIQ) occurred in four phases. The first phase included the specification of instrument purpose and descriptions of the conceptual definitions. The second focused on item generation mapped to the constructs and dimensions based in the literature. An expert review panel validated the instrument content for the constructs, and a draft of the instrument was developed based on this review. The third consisted of a pilot to a small group of the target population using the draft instrument, and the instrument was further revised based on the results. In the final phase, an exploratory Rasch analysis was conducted with a field test sample to examine dimensionality, model fit, person and item separation and reliability, and rating scale category functioning. Findings suggest some evidence to support the interpretation and use of scores from the BTARIQ.
Graduate teaching assistants (TAs) may identify with multiple roles during their introductory biology teaching experiences. This study developed an instrument that measures TA role identity in introductory biology. Initial development and content validation of the Biology Teaching Assistant Role Identity Questionnaire (BTARIQ) occurred in four phases. The first phase included the specification of instrument purpose and descriptions of the conceptual definitions. The second focused on item generation mapped to the constructs and dimensions based in the literature.
Graduate teaching assistants (TAs) may identify with multiple roles during their introductory biology teaching experiences. This study developed an instrument that measures TA role identity in introductory biology. Initial development and content validation of the Biology Teaching Assistant Role Identity Questionnaire (BTARIQ) occurred in four phases. The first phase included the specification of instrument purpose and descriptions of the conceptual definitions. The second focused on item generation mapped to the constructs and dimensions based in the literature.
Research & Teaching
Facilitating Departmental and Institutional Change for Expanding Undergraduate Research Experiences
The Effectiveness of a Microgrant
Journal of College Science Teaching—May/June 2023 (Volume 52, Issue 5)
By Rebecca Friesen and Adriana Cimetta
Increased sustainable access to undergraduate research opportunities, particularly for historically underrepresented populations, involves transforming departmental and institutional cultures, which is time-consuming and expensive. Competing university interests and tightening budgets necessitate finding effective and affordable ways to implement this transformation. The purpose of this study was to understand the benefits and limits of a microgrant as a feasible means of change. Overall, the findings suggested that microgrants can be effective catalysts for change in certain conditions, especially if internal resources are available to complement the funding and if the microgrant continues on a desired trajectory. This research will inform future initiatives that aim to expand access to undergraduate research experiences.
Increased sustainable access to undergraduate research opportunities, particularly for historically underrepresented populations, involves transforming departmental and institutional cultures, which is time-consuming and expensive. Competing university interests and tightening budgets necessitate finding effective and affordable ways to implement this transformation. The purpose of this study was to understand the benefits and limits of a microgrant as a feasible means of change.
Increased sustainable access to undergraduate research opportunities, particularly for historically underrepresented populations, involves transforming departmental and institutional cultures, which is time-consuming and expensive. Competing university interests and tightening budgets necessitate finding effective and affordable ways to implement this transformation. The purpose of this study was to understand the benefits and limits of a microgrant as a feasible means of change.
Research & Teaching
A Hands-on Activity to Understand the Nature of Science and Authentic Scientific Inquiry in Large Laboratory Courses
What’s in the Box?
Journal of College Science Teaching—May/June 2023 (Volume 52, Issue 5)
By Lin Xiang and Madhusudan Srinivasan
Integrating authentic research practices into introductory laboratory courses to prepare tomorrow’s scientists has become increasingly prevalent over the past decade. However, an incomplete understanding of the nature of science (NOS) and authentic scientific inquiry (SI) precludes higher-level learning in undergraduate research experiences. In this article, we discuss a concise, low-cost, low-maintenance, hands-on activity—What’s in the Box (WiB)—which is suitable for large-enrollment science courses at both the secondary and postsecondary levels and can help develop students’ understanding of NOS and authentic SI. Analyses of the postlab reflective writing assignment showed a substantial increase in the students’ appreciation for NOS and SI tenets; the top two NOS tenets were that scientific ideas are subject to change and that science demands evidence, identified in 20% and 18% of the reflective writings, respectively. The most appreciated authentic SI tenets were that SI is complex and iterative (reported in up to 32% of the reflective writings) and SI involves observation and exploration (reported in up to 12% of the reflective writings).
Integrating authentic research practices into introductory laboratory courses to prepare tomorrow’s scientists has become increasingly prevalent over the past decade. However, an incomplete understanding of the nature of science (NOS) and authentic scientific inquiry (SI) precludes higher-level learning in undergraduate research experiences.
Integrating authentic research practices into introductory laboratory courses to prepare tomorrow’s scientists has become increasingly prevalent over the past decade. However, an incomplete understanding of the nature of science (NOS) and authentic scientific inquiry (SI) precludes higher-level learning in undergraduate research experiences.
Research & Teaching
Overcoming Obstacles and Finding Support for Teaching Critical Thinking in STEM
Journal of College Science Teaching—May/June 2023 (Volume 52, Issue 5)
By Christa Evangelisto
This qualitative research study aimed to discover what obstacles and supports community college teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) face when teaching critical-thinking skills in their courses. The research was conducted using a basic qualitative research design that employed interviews to learn about the experiences of community college teachers currently teaching in STEM disciplines. Participants were asked to describe what obstacles they faced when attempting to plan and conduct critical-thinking education in their courses and what support they had for teaching these skills. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a constant comparative method to determine common themes. Findings of the study included the following obstacles: underprepared students, students’ poor dispositions, teachers’ limited time and effort, limited training of teachers, and the need to prepare students for future courses and assessments that are not based on critical thinking. Support for teachers was split into negative and positive aspects, with peer group support and resources from professional organizations reported as positive aspects and administrative requirements and isolation reported as negative aspects. The negative responses were reported by adjunct faculty more often than by full-time faculty.
This qualitative research study aimed to discover what obstacles and supports community college teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) face when teaching critical-thinking skills in their courses. The research was conducted using a basic qualitative research design that employed interviews to learn about the experiences of community college teachers currently teaching in STEM disciplines.
This qualitative research study aimed to discover what obstacles and supports community college teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) face when teaching critical-thinking skills in their courses. The research was conducted using a basic qualitative research design that employed interviews to learn about the experiences of community college teachers currently teaching in STEM disciplines.
Research & Teaching
Improving Retention and Graduation of Female Engineering and Polytechnic Students With First-Year Interventions
Journal of College Science Teaching—May/June 2023 (Volume 52, Issue 5)
By Anne Lucietto, Holden Buckner, and Antonia Munguia
Prior research in student retention emphasizes that building students’ connections with the institution and their peers is key. Students from underrepresented populations often lack these connections, making them more prone to dropping out or transferring majors, especially in high-pressure engineering and polytechnic programs. In this article, we discuss our study that analyzes data from a freshman-year class intended to introduce female students, one underrepresented demographic, to STEM fields and improve student retention rates. The class promoted students’ interactions with female professors and peer mentors, student organizations, and speakers from industry presented as role models and mentors. Data gathered from this class include year-by-year demographics, graduation and retention rates, and curriculum composition across 11 years. Analysis of this data indicates that interactions with professors and peer mentors especially resulted in improved outcomes for female students taking the course, as compared with the general population of female students in the department.
Prior research in student retention emphasizes that building students’ connections with the institution and their peers is key. Students from underrepresented populations often lack these connections, making them more prone to dropping out or transferring majors, especially in high-pressure engineering and polytechnic programs. In this article, we discuss our study that analyzes data from a freshman-year class intended to introduce female students, one underrepresented demographic, to STEM fields and improve student retention rates.
Prior research in student retention emphasizes that building students’ connections with the institution and their peers is key. Students from underrepresented populations often lack these connections, making them more prone to dropping out or transferring majors, especially in high-pressure engineering and polytechnic programs. In this article, we discuss our study that analyzes data from a freshman-year class intended to introduce female students, one underrepresented demographic, to STEM fields and improve student retention rates.
feature
Using Growth Rings on Wooden Blocks and Plywood to Enhance Students’ Spatial Reasoning Skills
Journal of College Science Teaching—May/June 2023 (Volume 52, Issue 5)
By Jeff B. Chaumba and Josphine Chaumba
Spatial reasoning is one of the most challenging skills to master in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This article reports the results of a teaching intervention that involved using wooden blocks to enhance the development of spatial reasoning in an undergraduate-level introductory geology course. Wooden blocks with growth rings that mimic folded rock layers and plywood that mimicked horizontal layers were used as aids to teach geologic structures in the fall 2018 and spring 2019 semesters. The teaching intervention was evaluated by comparing the exam scores of students who had taken the course before and after the use of the wooden blocks teaching tool. Comparison of students’ test scores in spring 2017 with fall 2018 and spring 2019 showed substantial improvements, a 20%–25% increase in their geologic structure questions. Results from an independent samples t-test also suggest that the new teaching tool was effective in both semesters.
Spatial reasoning is one of the most challenging skills to master in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This article reports the results of a teaching intervention that involved using wooden blocks to enhance the development of spatial reasoning in an undergraduate-level introductory geology course. Wooden blocks with growth rings that mimic folded rock layers and plywood that mimicked horizontal layers were used as aids to teach geologic structures in the fall 2018 and spring 2019 semesters.
Spatial reasoning is one of the most challenging skills to master in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This article reports the results of a teaching intervention that involved using wooden blocks to enhance the development of spatial reasoning in an undergraduate-level introductory geology course. Wooden blocks with growth rings that mimic folded rock layers and plywood that mimicked horizontal layers were used as aids to teach geologic structures in the fall 2018 and spring 2019 semesters.
Research & Teaching
Using Popular Fiction to Inspire Scientific Inquiry
Journal of College Science Teaching—May/June 2023 (Volume 52, Issue 4)
By Kristin Cook and Winn Wheeler
Many teacher educator preparation programs do not provide opportunities for preservice teachers (PSTs) to experience and examine the use of popular fiction as a connection point to science teaching. This study explores a unit designed to support PSTs in learning and applying core concepts and processes of literacy and science by leveraging a popular fiction text in their literacy and science methods courses in a concerted effort to better prepare teachers to integrate literacy and science in their own future classrooms.
Many teacher educator preparation programs do not provide opportunities for preservice teachers (PSTs) to experience and examine the use of popular fiction as a connection point to science teaching. This study explores a unit designed to support PSTs in learning and applying core concepts and processes of literacy and science by leveraging a popular fiction text in their literacy and science methods courses in a concerted effort to better prepare teachers to integrate literacy and science in their own future classrooms.
Many teacher educator preparation programs do not provide opportunities for preservice teachers (PSTs) to experience and examine the use of popular fiction as a connection point to science teaching. This study explores a unit designed to support PSTs in learning and applying core concepts and processes of literacy and science by leveraging a popular fiction text in their literacy and science methods courses in a concerted effort to better prepare teachers to integrate literacy and science in their own future classrooms.