How "Salmon in Trees" Leads to Greater Student Engagement and Learning in First Year Biology

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2014, Volume 35

Susan Purdy

Abstract

The ‘Salmon in a Tree' project was implemented in our First Year Biology labs in 2012 as a way to increase student engagement as well as to integrate some of the core competencies that we require of our students. This project required students to work in teams to answer a quirky biological question and communicate their answers in writing and by a video. After giving an overview of the project, the results from a student survey were discussed in regards to the team-based aspects of the project. Lastly the discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities to team work and the use of peer-evaluations.

Keywords:  team-based learning, peer evaluations, student engagement

University of Calgary (2013)