Introducing Students to the “Big Ideas” in Biology

 

Jean Heitz

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2017, Volume 38

Abstract

In this session I will share the presentation that I use during the first session of a course to introduce students to: • What biology is and what options they have for different majors in biology. • How to approach learning by scaffolding what they learn around the big ideas or concepts in biology. These include the AAC&U’s Essential Learning Outcomes1 and the AAAS Vision and Change2 • The types of thought processes and questions they will need to use to address an example “real life” scenario. This lays the groundwork with our students for the types of thought processes, problem solving and inquiry we work to incorporate in all aspects of our Introductory Biology courses – lecture, lab and discussion/recitation. 1AAC&U’s Essential Learning Outcomes: https://www.aacu.org/leap/essential-learning-outcomes 2AAAS Vision and Change: http://visionandchange.org/

Keywords:  core concepts

University of Houston (2016)