“无中生有”的诀窍开拓了思维的新领域

将近一年前，我收到一封很长的信，其作者声称他发明了一种能凭空制造出某种东西的方法。对此我并不感到大惊小怪。毕竟，在我收到的提出这类有趣想法的来信中，总有那么些人的说法是令人难以置信的。但是，既然科学的基本精神在于要求人们有一个开放的(如果还不是完全通风的)头脑，我还是尽量设法一封不漏地阅读这类信件。     

Assessment of the effectiveness of the studio format in introductory undergraduate biology

Kansas State University converted its introductory biology course, previously taught as an audio-tutorial (A-T), to a studio format in 1997. We share with others information about the process involved and present assessment data for the studio format course that address 1) student exam performance in A-T and studio; 2) student course grades in A-T and studio; 3) student and instructor perceptions and attitudes for A-T and studio; 4) student performance in subsequent biology courses for A-T and studio; and 5) gains in student learning for the studio course and other traditional lecture/lab courses. Collectively, these measures demonstrate that the studio format is as effective as or more effective (for some measures) than the A-T approach and traditional approaches in providing an effective learning environment. We discuss the issues involved in comparing course formats.     

透明的动物

精妙的生理适应性通过进化使多种多样的海底生物透明得惊人。