An Instructor Toolkit of Resources for Improving Student Success in Introductory Biology
Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2019, Volume 40
Donna Pattison
Abstract
Transforming a traditional lecture course to an active learning format can be daunting. Over the past six years, we developed a Comprehensive Student Success Program which resulted in an average 15% improvement over multiple semesters in our successful course completion rates for our Introductory Biology 1 and 2 courses (250-500 students). We have created a toolkit of tested hands-on activities, skits, and demonstrations for the lecture hall and supplemental peer-facilitated instruction. Our toolkit is freely available via a website that includes: (1) videos of skits, demonstrations, models to use in the lecture hall and instructor notes for implementing them, (2) model-building and problem solving activities designed specifically for peer led team learning sessions, (3) materials used in student advising (both training material for advisors and materials provided to students, (4) training modules for peer facilitators, (5) materials used in faculty professional development activities, and (6) videos of interviews in which our STEM graduates describe their undergraduate experiences and current careers.
Keywords: introductory biology, active learning, student success
