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Using Google Drive Technology to Enhance Quantitative Learning and Understanding of Personal Natural Resource Use Boston University 2013 Instructional Innovation Conference. Peter Busher & Andy Andres Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics College of General Studies
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Using Google Drive Technology to Enhance Quantitative Learning and Understanding of Personal Natural Resource UseBoston University 2013 Instructional Innovation Conference Peter Busher & Andy Andres Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics College of General Studies Boston University
Innovation OUTLine • CGS Natural Sciences – Goals and Learning Objectives • Introduction to Google Drive Technology • How this Project Supports the Learning Objectives in the Course • Results – Big Data • How this Technology can be Applied to all Disciplines
The Natural Sciences at theCollege of General Studies: Goals and Learning Objectives • Exciting pedagogical opportunity because our students are non-majors and this is a required course • Learn the process of science through active participation • Develop critical thinking skills • Develop each student’s sense of becoming an active “citizen scientist” • Encourage participation in scientific problems they will encounter in the lifetimes • Further understanding of nature and the role humans play in the world
Major Paradigm of NS 202: Human Ecology • A Course Designed to teach (mostly) non-majors about: • Science of Ecology • Fundamentals of Environmental Science • Human Ecology • Urban Ecology, specifically the ecology in and around the Boston area • Develop skills useful across disciplines
Personal resource Use • Enhance Student Learning • Go beyond small groups or individuals (big data v. small data) • Use of models to understand ecological systems • Use statistics and quantitative reasoning
Summary • Students used free Google Drive technology to create large datasets • Enhanced student awareness of personal resource use • Enhanced student awareness of average BU student resource use • Enhanced quantitative and analytical skills for students who are non-majors in science • Using technology to enhance learning that is applicable across disciplines
Acknowledgements The Students at the College of General Studies Carol Donovan and Rayhme Cleary of the College of General Studies