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Background. I teach Principles of Biology, 24 students per class Students vary: in age ethnicity academic backgrounds academic goals Teaching challenges: My students are engaged in the learning however I am concerned that they are compartmentalizing the content. Research Question.
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Background • I teach Principles of Biology, 24 students per class • Students vary: • in age • ethnicity • academic backgrounds • academic goals • Teaching challenges: My students are engaged in the learning however I am concerned that they are compartmentalizing the content.
Research Question • Can students gain conceptual knowledge in an introductory biology class? • Conceptual knowledge is making linking relationships • Example: Photosynthesis Conceptually they understand that the energy from the sun is needed to make plants grow.
Interest and Importance • I suspect this is a universal issue but I have no documentation. • I will redesign my course to help my student make connections • This is important because these same students are going to be the care givers or the future teachers of our world.
Research Design • Pre and embedded post testing • Concept maps • Multiple choice questions that are designed to go from basic content to linkages (SOLO) • Correlation between concept map and SOLO taxonomy