Moving Towards Problem‐based Learning

Abstract

This paper is based upon the reflections of teachers and students as they experience problem‐based learning (PBL) for the first time. A PBL exercise was integrated into a curriculum‐based Biology field course to meet specific learning requirements of students. The exercise created a new learning environment for both students and teachers, and PBL was evaluated as an educative strategy. The exercise could have been improved through more effective student support. Our experiences of PBL have encouraged us to look for other areas of the curriculum where problem‐based approaches could be incorporated to enrich student learning.     

高中生物必修2《遗传与进化》新旧教材比较与解读 ——以《生物的进化》章节变化为例

高中生物必修2《遗传与进化》是由《普通高中课程标准实验教科书生物》修订而来,修订的主要依据为《普通高中生物学课程标准(2017年版)》.以人教版2019年版教材《遗传与进化》中《生物的进化》章节变化为例,从新旧教材的引言、内容、插图、栏目设置、文章小结、课后习题分析等6个方面进行对比,了解新教材的特点,以期促进学生全面...     

微课在医学细胞生物学实验课堂教学中的应用

微课是围绕某个特定的知识点或教学环节,以短视频形式展示简短而完整的教学活动。传统的医学细胞生物学实验课堂教学存在教学方式单一、教学技术陈旧等问题。微课在实验课课前、课中、课后的应用能方便学生预习和复习,关注到学生个体差异,提高课堂效率,调动学生学习的主动性,提升医学细胞生物学实验课的教学质量。     

生物物理学引入生物类专业大学物理课程体系初探

将生物物理学的研究成果引入大学物理课程体系,可以让生物类专业学生充分认识到物理学和生物学的紧密联系及其在未来科研工作中的重要地位,从而激发学生学习物理的兴趣和热情,提高教学质量;另外,这些尝试也能为生物物理学导论、生物物理技术与方法等后续课程的开设打好基础,进而有效地提高物理教学（学科）在大学教育中的地位。     

生物慢滤柱处理水窖水的运行试验研究

为保障西北村镇饮用水安全,选用生物慢滤对窖水进行处理。通过自然挂膜的方式研究了填充铁改性沸石的慢滤柱对浊度、氨氮和CODMn的去除效果,改变滤速和断流天数考察装置的运行能力。研究表明:慢滤柱30天形成生物膜,稳定后能有效去除水中的各项污染物,对浊度、氨氮和CODMn的平均去除率分别为96.67%、87.13%和42.86%;滤速增加各去除率降低;断流后滤柱恢复时间很短;慢滤柱对实际雨水也有很好的去除效果,适用于西北村镇分散式供水。     

Developing and validating technological pedagogical content knowledge‐practical (TPACK‐practical) through the Delphi survey technique

Technological pedagogical content knowledge TPACK refers to the knowledge set that teachers currently use to further improve the quality of their teaching and assist their students in learning. Several TPACK models have been proposed, either for discussing TPACK's possible composition or its practical applications. Considering that teachers' practical experiences should also be critical to the development of those teachers' knowledge, this study invited a research panel (six researchers) and an expert panel (54 science‐related educators) to propose and validate the framework of TPACK‐practical. After two rounds of anonymous communications that followed Delphi survey techniques, a total of eight dimensions of TPACK‐practical and corresponding indicators were identified and rated as having high levels of importance. Among these knowledge dimensions, the knowledge of direct information and communication technology uses for enhancing teachers' professionalism and students' conceptual comprehension was rated with a high level of importance. Also, disciplinary differences were found to exist between the different groups of experts. Biology teachers showed significantly higher ratings across all knowledge dimensions, whereas physics teachers' ratings were comparatively low. Such findings suggest that the structure and content of subject matter shapes not only the way they teach with technology but also the thinking logics they build longitudinally from their learning experiences.     

An Educational Case Study in Protocol Verification and Distributed Observation

This paper describes a case study presented to students in computer science during a course on formal techniques for protocol validation. The course teaches some basic notions on specification, simulation, verification, testing and distributed observation. The case study is the classical alternating-bit protocol. The exercise first consists of some simple modeling and simulation of the specification and verification of some basic service properties. It is then followed with the problem of observation of distributed executions of the protocol. This kind of experiment was found to be useful for students, since they gain an understanding of the importance and necessity of formal methods for protocol validation.     

What is the students’ interest in biology after the biology curriculum modification?

Decreasing interest in Science among students, confirmed by several investigations, calls for the need to revise the contents of the curricula for Science subjects, including Biology. Modern Biology curricula should not only contain key biological concepts but also provide a teacher with sufficient space to develop students’ competencies of scientific work and positive attitudes to Science. When preparing the curriculum, it is necessary to consider also students’ interest in selected curriculum topics and their benefit for everyday life. The objective of our research was to identify whether the performed transformation of the Biology curriculum for elementary schools increased the students’ interest in Biology and the contents thereof. We were also investigating students’ preferences in their interest in Biology topics and their interest in selected teaching methods and approaches. Our research confirmed the positive interest in Biology among majority of students who prefer direct, active participation in the process of knowledge acquisition through the study and exploration of living organisms as well as by the execution and assessment of practicals and experiments.     

Scientific Teaching Targeting Faculty from Diverse Institutions

We offered four annual professional development workshops called STAR (for Scientific Teaching, Assessment, and Resources) modeled after the National Academies Summer Institute (SI) on Undergraduate Education in Biology. In contrast to the SI focus on training faculty from research universities, STAR''s target was faculty from community colleges, 2-yr campuses, and public and private research universities. Because of the importance of community colleges and 2-yr institutions as entries to higher education, we wanted to determine whether the SI model can be successfully extended to this broader range of institutions. We surveyed the four cohorts; 47 STAR alumni responded to the online survey. The responses were separated into two groups based on the Carnegie undergraduate instructional program categories, faculty from seven associate''s and associate''s-dominant institutions (23) and faculty from nine institutions with primarily 4-yr degree programs (24). Both groups expressed the opinion that STAR had a positive impact on teaching, student learning, and engagement. The two groups reported using techniques of formative assessment and active learning with similar frequency. The mix of faculty from diverse institutions was viewed as enhancing the workshop experience. The present analysis indicates that the SI model for training faculty in scientific teaching can successfully be extended to a broad range of higher education institutions.     

The use of personal logs to assist clinical students in understanding and integrating theories of counseling intervention

Because of the importance for social science students of clinical counseling or therapy to fully understand and experience theories and methods of intervention, the author has developed a classroom exercise to help accomplish this goal. The use of personal logs by students of psychology, guidance and counseling, psychiatric nursing, social work, psychiatry and other helping professions gives students first hand experience in using theories and methods in their own life situations, and facilitates the important integration between the theory and the personality style of the user of the theory and its techniques.     

生物课堂教学素质化的构建途径

生物教学中实施素质教育是教学改革的重要课题。文章认为，凝炼教师“授”的艺术，优化课堂“教”的手段重视学生“探”的技能，突出学生“学”的方法是生物课堂教学素质化构建的重要途径。     

背越式跳高中助跑与起跳结合的重要性

背越式跳高中助跑与起跳的紧密结合对跳高成绩起着十分重要的作用．通过运动力学、解剖学分析和动作技能形成过程中的心理特点分析，对助跑起跳学习环节加大重视，多做有关的辅助练习，形成正确规范的技术动作，有助于学生更快更好地提高运动成绩．     

An Assessment of the Relative Importance of Criminal Justice Learning Objectives

This study examines the relative importance of the different learning objectives for criminal justice education as identified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). Three different populations (students, faculty, and professionals) completed a survey exercise in which they were required to rank order hypothetical job applicants who varied in competency on each of the ACJS learning objectives. In addition, students completed the same exercise pre- and post-completion of their required internship to determine if experience in the field affected their responses. Conjoint analysis was used to identify the relative importance of different learning objectives. While results indicate some similarities in responses across all three populations, several interesting differences were observed, and these may have important curricular implications for criminal justice programs.     

加强体育教学培养学生学习兴趣探研

青少年体育教学要激发学生的体育锻炼热情。教师要深刻认识体育教学的重要性,分析学生体育锻炼积极性不高的原因。文章针对体育教学中存在的问题进行深入分析并提出提高学生学习兴趣的策略,强调在体育教学中营造良好的教学氛围,制定科学合理的教学方案,注重因材施教,从而培养学生的终身体育锻炼意识。     

提升高等数学习题课教学质量的思考

高等数学是高等学校理工类各专业的一门重要的必修课,它在培养学生分析问题和解决问题的能力方面发挥着极其重要的作用。探讨了高等数学习题课教学的重要性,研究了高等数学习题课教学方式,总结了习题课教学应遵循的原则。     

Use of dissection-related courseware by low-ability high school students: A qualitative inquiry

This article reports on a naturalistic study conducted with 24 low-achieving high school Biology students. Observations and interviews were used to determine how the teacher and students used two different computer-based instructional programs on frog anatomy and dissection, and how students conducted a subsequent dissection. Student and teacher opinions were solicited about the different computer-based programs and the dissection laboratory. Findings suggest that dissection can be a valuable learning experience for low-achieving Biology students when they are engaged in group cooperation and interaction and receive adequate instructional preparation. Results also point to the motivation these students exhibit toward computer use, to the importance of balancing learner and program control, and to the value of considering the teacher as a possible source of both interaction and structure during courseware use. Recommendations based on these and other findings are offered for educators and instructional developers. As participating teacher in this research, Mrs. Foss' integral and enthusiastic involvement is recognized with co-authorship of this article. She has asked to be identified by name rather than by a pseudonym. The paper on which this article was based was presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) in April 1993. The authors thank Mary Catherine Ellwein and an anonymous reviewer for their valuable comments on an earlier draft. Correspondence may be directed to Mable Kinzie at the Department of Educational Studies, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, 405 Emmet Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2495.     

A Comparison of Tutor and Student Conceptions of Undergraduate Research Project Work

Tutor and student conceptions of undergraduate research project work were evaluated following the distribution of questionnaires to 85 members of academic staff and 136 final‐year (honours) students in the Schools of Biology and Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast (QUB). The percentage of individuals submitting a return was 52% for staff and 38% for students. The issues considered included: (1) types and purpose of honours projects, (2) roles and responsibilities of supervisors (staff) and students, and (3) assessment and feedback. The results revealed a diversity of opinion among both staff and students about the various issues surrounding this complex learning exercise. To remedy this situation and to enhance student learning it is essential to establish a climate of open dialogue between staff and students, to share learning conceptions and to ensure that the assessment of any learning task is commensurate with the aims, objectives and learning outcomes.     

生物质能源的开发利用与前景

运用绿色化学原理，论述了化石能源的环境影响和开发利用可再生能源的重要性，生物质能是最有潜力的可再生能源，着重论述了生物质能源转换技术及其应用的广阔前景。     

A comparison of teacher and principal perception of an outstanding biology teacher

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the level of agreement or disagreement between principals and teachers when using established criteria to measure the effectiveness of a biology teacher. To obtain information regarding their perceptions of an outstanding biology teacher, twenty-two principals and forty-one biology teachers were chosen randomly from English-speaking high schools within a 50 km radius of metropolitan Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The measuring instrument was a modified version of Dieter's questionnaire that evolved from his doctoral study of the National Association of Biology Teachers-Outstanding Biology Teacher Award Program. The data collected from the two populations were tested using one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) or by applying normal approximation. Results indicated that both the principals and teachers agree on the relative importance of most criteria, particularly those related to the teacher's classroom behavior and academic background in biology. From such results, it was possible to construct one stereotype of the outstanding biology teacher. A number of recommendations were made from the results of the study, which were directed to the (a) teachers and their professional organization, (b) principals and the school boards, (c) teacher training institutions, and (d) researchers in teacher evaluation.     

The Exercise Physiology Paradigm in Contemporary Biology: To Molbiol or Not to Molbiol—That is the Question

Two perspectives on exercise physiology in contemporary biomedical research are presented. First, exercise represents a powerful tool for understanding physiology. The magnitude and gradation in physiological responses to exercise afford an opportunity for studying the range and control mechanisms in physiological systems under the diverse circumstances. Moreover, the exercise stimulus of training offers a means to study processes of physiological adaptation. Second, the science of physiology represents a powerful means for understanding the limits of human performance. The concepts, tools, and techniques of physiology allow performance-based exercise physiologists to contribute significantly to understanding and improving the limits of human performance. In contemporary biomedical science, there is a pronounced emphasis in the burgeoning area of molecular biology (molbiol). Molecular biologists have developed powerful tools for studying the regulation of essential cellular processes, such as gene expression. Consequently, within biomedical research there has been a deemphasis on classic organ-systems physiology. However, even in this milieu exercise physiologists will continue to contribute, for they are uniquely prepared to address important contemporary problems related to adaptation to environmental stressors, resistance to degenerative diseases, and expansion of the limits to human performance.