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Engaging First Year Biology Majors in/with the Scientific Literature

This study aims to investigate the impact of teaching first-year biology students how to effectively use scientific literature to write papers and gain scientific knowledge. The strategy involves introducing students to the literature through reading assignments and coordinating journal articles with curricular topics. Specific learning objectives include understanding the organization of scientific literature, evaluating the validity of information, and using the literature to write about science. Assessments include pre/post-tests, written assignments, quizzes, discussions, and concept maps. Concerns include time constraints and finding suitable articles for first-year students.

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Engaging First Year Biology Majors in/with the Scientific Literature

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  1. Engaging First Year Biology Majors in/with the Scientific Literature Jodie Krontiris-Litowitz Youngstown State University

  2. The Context It started with the juniors and seniors….. Students didn’t know how to use scientific literature effectively to write paper or gain knowledge

  3. The Question • Will teaching students in Principles of Biology to use the literature influence how effectively upperclassman can use the literature to write about science and gain scientific knowledge. (I can’t evaluate this now.) • Can I teach students in Principles of Biology to use the literature in a way that prepares them to use the literature to write about science and gain scientific knowledge?.

  4. Strategy • introduce students to the scientific literature by asking them to read it • Use a series of assignments that coordinate journal articles with curricular topics

  5. Specific Learning Objectives At the end of the course students should • understand how the scientific literature is organized (primary vs review articles) • how a primary research article is constructed • be able to use this knowledge to acquire information. • be able to make a preliminary evaluation of the validity of information in a journal article using a set of simple criteria

  6. Global Objective At the end of the course students should • Be able to use the literature to write about science and gain scientific knowledge • Recognize that the knowledge gained in this course extends beyond what they are exposed to in classroom. • Understand that course knowledge can be augmented by reading the scientific literature

  7. Assessments • Pre/post test of information gathering skills and knowledge of the structure and organization of the scientific literature • Written assignments, class quizzes, and class discussions that use the literature to augment course content • Class discussion associated with the quizzes • Exam questions: MC and essay evaluating skills and comprehension • Concept maps

  8. My concerns • Timing in an 8 week course • Can I find enough articles that first year students can understand. • Creating a strategy that can be routinely embedded in the curriculum

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