Redesign of Introductory Biology

1
Redesign of Introductory Biology

• University of Maryland University College
• May 29, 2009

2
Redesign of Introductory Biology

• Elements of Redesign
• Impact on Student Learning
• Impact on Course Completion
• Impact on Cost Savings
• Implementation
• Sustainability
• Acknowledgements

3
Elements of Redesign

• Combine two courses into single course, BIOL 103
• Align with state and national literacy standards
• Increase consistency of student experience
• Add scaffolding and self-check review
  activities/questions
• Adjust reading levels
• Expand graphics
• Create virtual labs

4
Redesigned Course

• Single four-credit course
• Single faculty member
• Single redesigned classroom
• Labs integrated into content modules
• Scaffolding

5
Impact on Student Learning

• Spring 2007
• Results from 398 students
• Score 26.62/40 multiple-choice questions
• Spring 2008
• Results from 412 students
• Score 27.18/40 multiple-choice questions

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Impact on Student Learning

• Student evaluation scores increased
• 3.71 before redesign
• 4.05 after redesign
• Greater ease and satisfaction with virtual labs

7
Impact on Course Completion
Course Pass Withdraw
BIOL 101, Spring 07 58 19
BIOL 102, Spring 07 49 28
BIOL 103, Spring 08 61 19
8
Impact on Course Completion

• Reduction in withdrawal rates
• Increase in pass rates
• Non-passing grades remained the same

9
Impact on Cost Savings

• Student savings
• 40 lab kit
• Reduction in final exam administration costs
• For 500 students, savings of 10,050
• Reduction in course development costs
• 30,000 for single course
• Classroom management
• Academic administration of sections

10
Implementation

• Faculty communication and training
• Fully online labs
• Production of virtual labs

11
Sustainability

• Combination of lecture/lab into single course
• Alignment of course objectives with national and
  state objectives
• Alignment of all aspects of course development
  with course objectives
• Development of rich online learning resources

12
Acknowledgements

• Chris Sax
• Emily Medina
• Sherri Clark
• Lynn Walter
• David Clarke
• Sharon Goodall
• Sharon Biederman
• BIOL 101 and 102 faculty