Research and Teaching: Assessment of the Impact of Case Studies on Student Learning Gains in an Introductory Biology Course

Journal Article | August 2009

Student performance in lecture-based versus case study-based instruction was compared in this study. Case-based teaching that emphasized problem solving and discussion significantly improved student performance on exams…

Pulse Rate Research: Students follow the steps of inquiry to compare carotid and artery pulse rates

Journal Article | December 2001

This pulse rate study was inspired by observations about how people take their pulses. It exemplifies how the scientific inquiry process can be demonstrated in the classroom.

Research and Teaching: Graduate Teaching Assistant Training That Fosters Student-Centered Instruction and Professional Development

Journal Article | June 2012

This article discusses the effect of a new graduate teaching assistant training program on the TA's ability to lead student-centered recitations and on their professional development.

Research and Teaching: Surveying Science Literacy Among Undergraduates: Insights From Open-Ended Responses

Journal Article | December 2011

This article presents the qualitative analysis of data from a 20-year project analyzing the knowledge and attitudes toward science of undergraduate students enrolled in introductory astronomy courses.

Science Sampler: Introducing 21st-century research and information literacy skills—a yearlong process

Journal Article | June 2010

The phrase “21st-century skills” suggests that our students will need a new batch of skills and tools in order to be prepared for the next century. However, many teachers would say that they already incorporate these…

Research and Teaching: Teaching With External Representations—The Case of a Common Energy-Level Diagram in Chemistry

Journal Article | August 2010

Diagrams and figures play a central role in science and science education. Research has indicated that, when presented and used properly in a classroom setting, these external representations can contribute to students…

Research and Teaching: Student Self-Assessment of Higher-Order Cognitive Skills in College Science Teaching

Journal Article | October 1997

A wide consensus exists among researchers that the development of students' abilities to ask questions, reason, problem solve, and think critically—in short, higher-order cognitive skills (HOCS)—should become a central…

Research and Teaching: Literacy Strategies Build Connections Between Introductory Biology Laboratories and Lecture Concepts

Journal Article | December 2011

In this article the authors present the results of a study about the effects of incorporating literacy strategies with laboratory sections in a general biology course.

Research and Teaching: Are Students’ Performances in Labs Related to Their Performances in Lecture Portions of Introductory Science Courses?

Journal Article | December 2007

In this study, the author examined how attendance in the lab is associated with students’ lab grades and overall course grades in an introductory biology course. Results from this study indicate that academic motivation…