BMB Teaching Initiative
Our goal is to enhance student participation and instructional effectiveness in large-enrollment science classes. We support faculty in their use of inking, wireless, and capture technology in the classroom to promote student-centered instruction and active learning. Best practices and lessons learned are continuously collected on our web site.
- We enhance student-teacher interactions in class
- We use inking to model problem solving skills in class
- We use an assortment of tools to make teaching more flexible
- We help our students to focus on participation
- We enhance studying outside of class
- Our class web sites contain slides, links to material used, and problem sets
- We also provide video and audio recording of lectures (screen casts)
- Our students have time to take “personalized” notes in class
- We bring real science into the class and the dorm
- We use primary literature, databases and programs in class
- Our students have access to these tools after class
- We connect class work with current issues in the life sciences
Courses taught (2007-8 academic year)
In the first year of the initiative, over 800 course participants have experienced technology-enhanced classes in three different departments, spanning from introductory classes to graduate-level classes, with an emphasis on large-enrollment lecture courses.
- Chemistry 112 (2 sessions)
- Biology 285 (2 sessions)
- Biochemistry H01
- Chemistry 471
- Biochemistry 523
- Biochemistry 524
- Biochemistry 623
- Drug Design
Participants (2007-8 academic year)
from the Biochemistry department
- Karsten Theis (PI)
- Jennifer Normanly
- Dave Gross
- Scott Garman
- Alejandro Heuck
- Dan Chase
- Alice Cheung
- Frieda Reichsman
- Susan Cumberledge
from other departments
This project is supported by a academic technology grant from the University of Massachusetts Information Technology Council. The Center for Teaching participated in student assessment through its mid-term assessment program.