Miami Educational Engagement Workshop

Case-Based Teaching

• Introductory Biology (cell and molecular)
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Investigatory Labs (Intro, Molecular, Genomics)

Encourage Students to Excel

• Set High Standards
• Assume They Have Read
• Utilize Socratic Method Instead of Lecture
• Have Sliding Scale to Assist Weaker Students

Design Challenging Assignments

• Tests Contain Thought-Provoking Questions
• Assignments Require Original Thought
• Post Submissions Online

Use Electronic Resources IF Superior

• Paper is the Best - usually
• Virtual Reprints and Color Figures
• Animations
• 3D Structures (ATP v. cAMP example; Calcium Pump)
• Pre-Lab Tutorials
• Interactive Medium
• Often Free

Access Research-Quality Materials)

• Protein Data Bank
• NCBI Entrez
• Genome Browser (Intro Bio Example)
• BLAST (Intro Bio Example)
• MAGIC Tool (written by undergraduates)

Engage Interactive Resources

• Database Queries
• Interesting Quizzes
• Open Access Journals for Class Use (PLoS, PubMed Central, BioMed Central, etc.)

Capitalize on Undergraduate Researchers

• Genome Consortium for Active Teaching (GCAT)
• Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
• Your Own Research Projects
• Present Student Data (PPT poster examples: Emily or Dan)

Read the Literature

• Cell Biology Education (CBE)
• Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education (JUNE)
• Association of Biology Laboratory Educators (ABLE)
• Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL)

Biology Department

© Copyright 2004 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28036
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to: macampbell@davidson.edu