Teaching more by lecturing less

We carried out an experiment to determine whether student learning gains in a large, traditionally taught, upper-division lecture course in developmental biology could be increased by partially changing to a more interactive classroom format. In two successive semesters, we presented the same course syllabus using different teaching styles: in fall 2003, the traditional lecture format; and in spring 2004, decreased lecturing and addition of student participation and cooperative problem solving during class time, including frequent in-class assessment of understanding. We used performance on pretests and posttests, and on homework problems to estimate and compare student learning gains between the two semesters. Our results indicated significantly higher learning gains and better conceptual understanding in the more interactive course. To assess reproducibility of these effects, we repeated the interactive course in spring 2005 with similar results. Our findings parallel results of similar teaching-style comparisons made in other disciplines. On the basis of this evidence, we propose a general model for teaching large biology courses that incorporates interactive engagement and cooperative work in place of some lecturing, while retaining course content by demanding greater student responsibility for learning outside of class.     

Teaching cell biology in the large-enrollment classroom: methods to promote analytical thinking and assessment of their effectiveness

A large-enrollment, undergraduate cellular biology lecture course is described whose primary goal is to help students acquire skill in the interpretation of experimental data. The premise is that this kind of analytical reasoning is not intuitive for most people and, in the absence of hands-on laboratory experience, will not readily develop unless instructional methods and examinations specifically designed to foster it are employed. Promoting scientific thinking forces changes in the roles of both teacher and student. We describe didactic strategies that include directed practice of data analysis in a workshop format, active learning through verbal and written communication, visualization of abstractions diagrammatically, and the use of ancillary small-group mentoring sessions with faculty. The implications for a teacher in reducing the breadth and depth of coverage, becoming coach instead of lecturer, and helping students to diagnose cognitive weaknesses are discussed. In order to determine the efficacy of these strategies, we have carefully monitored student performance and have demonstrated a large gain in a pre- and posttest comparison of scores on identical problems, improved test scores on several successive midterm examinations when the statistical analysis accounts for the relative difficulty of the problems, and higher scores in comparison to students in a control course whose objective was information transfer, not acquisition of reasoning skills. A novel analytical index (student mobility profile) is described that demonstrates that this improvement was not random, but a systematic outcome of the teaching/learning strategies employed. An assessment of attitudes showed that, in spite of finding it difficult, students endorse this approach to learning, but also favor curricular changes that would introduce an analytical emphasis earlier in their training.     

Activation of the arousal response and impairment of performance increase with anxiety and stressor intensity.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of trait anxiety and stressor intensity on arousal and motor performance during a pinch task. We examined the steadiness of a precision task in the presence and absence of an imposed stressor on subjects with moderate and low trait anxiety. Subjects with the 26 highest and 14 lowest anxiety scores were assigned to one of three groups: a control group (5 women, 5 men), a moderate-anxiety group (8 women, 8 men), or a low-anxiety group (7 women, 7 men). Subjects in the anxiety groups received electric shocks and experienced significant increases in cognitive and physiological arousal compared with baseline and control subjects, especially subjects in the moderate-anxiety group. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and electrodermal activity were elevated during the stressor, whereas diastolic blood pressure was unchanged. Cognitive and physiological arousal tended to increase with stressor intensity and was accompanied by changes in steadiness. Although steadiness was markedly reduced with the highest intensity of shock, the average electromyogram activity was unaffected by the stressor. These findings indicate that the increase in arousal and the impairment of steadiness increased with trait anxiety and with the intensity of the noxious stimulus.     

Measuring the Quality of University Lectures: Development and Validation of the Instructional Skills Questionnaire (ISQ)

In higher education, student ratings are often used to evaluate and improve the quality of courses and professors’ instructional skills. Unfortunately, student-rating questionnaires rarely generate specific feedback for professors to improve their instructional skills. The impact of student ratings on professors’ instructional skills has proven to be low. This study concerns the psychometric properties of the Instructional Skills Questionnaire (ISQ), a new theory-based student-rating-of-teaching questionnaire with specific questions concerning lecturing skills. The ISQ is administered after a single lecture. This way, it serves as a formative feedback instrument for university professors during courses to assist them to improve and (re-) evaluate their skills if necessary. The ISQ contains seven dimensions of professors’ instructional skills and three student (self perceived) learning outcomes. In this study, Dutch students in 75 courses rated three 90-minute lectures (T1, T2 and T3) of their respective professors using the ISQ. In total, 14,298 ISQ-forms were used to rate 225 lectures. The teacher level reliabilities of the seven dimensions were found to be good at each measurement occasion. In addition, confirmatory multilevel factor analysis confirmed a seven dimensional factor structure at the teacher level at each measurement occasion. Furthermore, specific teacher level factors significantly predicted students’ (self-assessed) learning outcomes. These results partly supported the proposed theoretical framework on the relationship between the ISQ teaching dimensions and the student learning process, and provided evidence for the construct validity of the instrument. In sum, the ISQ is found to be a reliable and valid instrument, which can be used by professors and faculty development centers to assess and improve university teaching.     

Please pass the cauliflower: a recipe for introducing undergraduate students to brain structure and function

Neurophysiology/pathophysiology content is a frequent source of anxiety for undergraduate students and their instructors. This learning module supplements traditional lecture and overhead presentations to offer a novel, nonthreatening, and entertaining introduction to neuropathology. The module is based on a ridiculous analogy between the human brain and the cauliflower. This module has been used with both underclassmen and more advanced health science undergraduate students and has produced enthusiastic student responses while deescalating both student and instructor anxiety.     

Comparing biology majors from large lecture classes with TA-facilitated laboratories to those from small lecture classes with faculty-facilitated laboratories

The teaching faculty for this course sought to address their own concerns about the quality of student learning in an impersonal large lecture biology class for majors, the difficulties in getting to know each student by name, and difficulties in soliciting answers and reactions from the students during the lecture. Questions addressed by this study were, Do active-learning activities in a small and personal lecture setting enhance student learning more than active-learning activities in large impersonal lectures? and Are students more satisfied with an educational experience in a small and personal lecture setting? Based on faculty perceptions of how they best relate to their students, the prediction was that the students in the experimental group with small lecture classes and increased direct contact with the teaching faculty would learn physiological principles better than the students in the control group in the large impersonal lecture portion of the course. One of the laboratory sections of this large enrollment biology course was randomly selected to be taught with separate small lectures by the teaching faculty. In addition, the teaching faculty participated in the laboratory with these students during their experiments correlated with the lecture material. The students in both groups were compared by pre- and posttests of physiological principles, final course grades, and class satisfaction surveys.     

普通生物学课程教学改革实践探讨

针对专业基础课普通生物学课程教学实际,探讨以解决实际问题为学习导向、转变学生思维方式变被动学习为主动学习、转变学生学习方式建立系统化知识体系、采取拓展专业视野与创设师生互动的课堂教学提升教学水平。改革的实践促进培养学生良好的专业学习能力。     

The efficacy of interactive lecturing for students with diverse science backgrounds

Learning is an active process, and, as such, interactive lectures are considered as the educational best practice. This study investigated the efficacy of interactive lecturing in a module of eight respiratory physiology lectures in a second-year Physiology course with two distinct subcohorts: students with strong science backgrounds and those without. The comparison of student performance in the summative examinations of respiratory physiology allowed us to evaluate the efficacy of interactive lecturing for each subcohort. Formal teaching evaluations were used to gauge the students' perception of interactive lectures. To further validate our findings, we repeated the study in the following year. The introduction of interactive lecturing significantly improved learning outcomes, with this improvement being maintained for the period of this study. Furthermore, students with limited prior knowledge, who had typically performed very poorly in this module, achieved a similar learning outcome to those students with a good science background. From these summative results and the students' perceptions, we concluded that students that are alert, motivated and interested in the subject, and engaged in learning activities and that are being encouraged to think and receive constant feedback on their progress will become confident in their learning abilities and have improved learning outcomes.     

PBL教学法在医学微生物学中的应用探索与体会

在医学微生物学教学改革实践中,对传统讲授式教学与PBL教学进行比较。结果显示PBL法教学组学生的分析题成绩、理论成绩、总成绩均比传统讲授教学组好,差异有高度显著性(P<0.01)。在PBL实践过程中发现影响其教学效果的主要因素有:教师和学生角色转变的困难;学生易受非重要问题的困扰;时间和硬件设备的缺乏;考核方式不完善。由此,提出相应的对策,以获得更好的教学效果。     

几种讨论式方法在微生物学教学中的应用

为加强学生创新精神与应用能力的培养,解决微生物学教学内容递增与课时递减的矛盾,提出在微生物学课堂上实施辩论赛、学术报告竞赛与讲课比赛等几种讨论式教学方法。实践证明,这些新方法与传统灌输式课堂教学方法相比,具有课堂气氛活跃,教学效果倍增;学生担当评委,师生打成一片;鼓励标新立异,倡导个性发展;弥补课时不足,拓展课程内容等鲜明的优势,人才培养质量显著提高。     

PBL与图表相结合的教学法在《基础生物化学》课程教学中的初步实践

针对生物化学课程的特点,以改革当前传统的课堂讲授式教学模式作为突破口,采用基于问题学习（PBL）与图表结合的教学模式在《基础生物化学》中进行教学尝试。初步教学实践表明,通过PBL与图表教学法的互补结合,基本能克服《基础生物化学》教学活动中存在的两类矛盾,使传统的以＂教＂为主的教学模式,转变为以＂学＂与＂教＂相互平衡和促进的教学模式,使学生在掌握所学课程核心内容的同时又能获得学习方法、提高学习兴趣和学习主动性。     

翻转课堂结合学生小讲课在临床微生物学检验技术实习教学中的探索

探讨翻转课堂结合学生小讲课在临床微生物学检验技术实习教学中的应用价值。选择在中南大学湘雅三医院检验科实习的2018年医学检验技术专业实习生48名为对照组,2019年的42名实习生为实验组。对照组采用传统的实习带教模式,实验组采用翻转课堂结合学生小讲课的教学模式。两组实习生均接受出科考试及满意度调查问卷填写,比较两组教学方式的效果。结果显示,实验组出科考试的理论成绩、操作成绩及总成绩均高于对照组(P0.05),实验组对实习满意率明显高于对照组(P0.05)。表明翻转课堂结合学生小讲课应用于临床微生物学检验技术实习教学,可以有效提高实习生的实习效能,值得进一步推广。从传统实习教学模式的现状和不足、翻转课堂与学生小讲课相结合实习教学模式在临床微生物学检验技术实习教学中的引入、构建和效果评估方面进行了探讨。     

Using the two-hybrid screen in the classroom laboratory

The National Science Foundation and others have made compelling arguments that research be incorporated into the learning of undergraduates. In response to these arguments, a two-hybrid research project was incorporated into a molecular biology course that contained both a lecture section and a laboratory section. The course was designed around specific goals for educational outcomes, including introducing research to a wide range of students, teaching students experimental design and data analysis, and enhancing understanding of course material. Additional goals included teaching students to search genomic databases, to access scientific articles, and to write a paper in scientific format. Graded events tested these goals, and a student evaluation indicated student perception of the project. According to our analysis of the data, the yeast two-hybrid screen was a success: several novel clones were identified; students met expectations on graded lab reports, the poster session, and the final paper; and evaluations indicated that students had achieved the outlined goals. Students indicated on the evaluations that the research project increased their interest in research and greatly improved understanding of the course material. Finally, several students in the course intend to submit the findings of the research project to an undergraduate research journal.     

Introducing Computer-Based Testing in High-Stakes Exams in Higher Education: Results of a Field Experiment

The introduction of computer-based testing in high-stakes examining in higher education is developing rather slowly due to institutional barriers (the need of extra facilities, ensuring test security) and teacher and student acceptance. From the existing literature it is unclear whether computer-based exams will result in similar results as paper-based exams and whether student acceptance can change as a result of administering computer-based exams. In this study, we compared results from a computer-based and paper-based exam in a sample of psychology students and found no differences in total scores across the two modes. Furthermore, we investigated student acceptance and change in acceptance of computer-based examining. After taking the computer-based exam, fifty percent of the students preferred paper-and-pencil exams over computer-based exams and about a quarter preferred a computer-based exam. We conclude that computer-based exam total scores are similar as paper-based exam scores, but that for the acceptance of high-stakes computer-based exams it is important that students practice and get familiar with this new mode of test administration.     

高原医学救援实战演练教学改革实践与分析

医学救援实战演练教学贴近实战,并综合各学科而设,是培养应急性医学救援人才的必备课程。以往演练暴露诸多问题,例如学员不能全面参与训练,学员对突发状况应对能力较弱,训练内容设置不合理以及考核方式不能反映学员训练的真实情况等问题。我们进行高原医学救援演练教学方法改革,采用多用途学习模块,学员全面参与演练科目的方式,整合课堂、临床相关方面知识技能,组织教学训练单元,建立规范化、标准化救治流程,删减调整不相关内容,可在短期内完成培训。最后,通过考核方式改革,采用全程考查并及时对参训人员进行反馈保证训练质量。     

An innovative method to enhance interaction during lecture sessions

The B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, is following an innovative hybrid curriculum. Conventional lectures are replaced by "structured interactive sessions" (SIS). SIS involves increased interchange between teachers, students, and lecture contents by proper planning and organized efforts. It can promote active learning and heighten attention and motivation. The present study was conducted to enhance active interactions during such sessions. The students were divided into two groups and asked to come prepared for the lectures. Students were encouraged to ask questions and interact informally during lectures. A scoreboard was maintained, and student feedback was taken at the end of the lecture block. The entire student response was reduced to a student acceptability index (SAI). Our results show a statistically significant increase in interactions per student per day. A majority of the responses in the questionnaire and SAI were favorable. Specific comments and suggestions of students were also positive. These results show that simple innovative techniques enhance the interactions during a lecture session.     

Non-native English language speakers benefit most from the use of lecture capture in medical school

Medical education in the United States and Canada continues to evolve. However, many of the changes in pedagogy are being made without appropriate evaluation. Here, we attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of lecture capture technology as a learning tool in Podiatric medical education. In this pilot project, student performance in an inaugural lecture capture-supported biochemistry course was compared to that in the previous academic year. To examine the impact of online lecture podcasts on student performance a within-subjects design was implemented, a two way ANCOVA with repeated measures. The use of lecture capture-supported pedagogy resulted in significantly higher student test scores, than achieved historically using traditional pedagogy. The overall course performance using this lecture capture-supported pedagogy was almost 6% higher than in the previous year. Non-native English language speakers benefitted more significantly from the lecture capture-supported pedagogy than native English language speakers, since their performance improved by 10.0 points. Given that underrepresented minority (URM) students, whose native language is not English, makes up a growing proportion of medical school matriculates, these observations support the use of lecture capture technology in other courses. Furthermore, this technology may also be used as part of an academic enrichment plan to improve performance on the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination, reduce the attrition of URM students and potentially address the predicted minority physician shortage in 2020.     

Memory for Lectures: How Lecture Format Impacts the Learning Experience

The present study investigated what impact the presentation style of a classroom lecture has on memory, mind wandering, and the subjective factors of interest and motivation. We examined if having a professor lecturing live versus on video alters the learning experience of the students in the classroom. During the lectures, students were asked to report mind wandering and later complete a memory test. The lecture format was manipulated such that all the students received two lectures, one live and one a pre-recorded video. Results indicate that lecture format affected memory performance but not mind wandering, with enhanced memory in the live lectures. Additionally, students reported greater interest and motivation in the live lectures. Given that a single change to the classroom environment, professor presence, impacted memory performance, as well as motivation and interest, the present results have several key implications for technology-based integrations into higher education classrooms.     

The use of multiple tools for teaching medical biochemistry

In this work, we describe the use of several strategies employing the philosophies of active learning and problem-based learning (PBL) that may be used to improve the teaching of metabolic biochemistry to medical and nutritional undergraduate students. The main activities are as follows: 1) a seminar/poster system in a mini-congress format (using topics of applied biochemistry); 2) a true/false applied biochemistry exam (written by peer tutors); 3) a 9-h exam on metabolism (based in real publications); 4) the Advanced Biochemistry course (directed to peer tutors, where students learn how to read and criticize real medical papers); 5) experiments about nutrition and metabolism, using students as volunteers, and about free radicals (real science for students); 6) the BioBio blog (taking advantage of the "web age," this enhances out of class exchanges of information between the professor, students, and peer tutors); 7) student lectures on public health issues and metabolic disorders directed to the community and lay people; and 8) the BioBio quiz show. The main objective of these activities is to provide students with a more practical and interesting approach to biochemistry, such as the application of theoretical knowledge to real situations (diseases, experiments, media information, and scientific discoveries). In addition, we emphasize the importance of peer tutor activities for optimized learning of both students and peer tutors, the importance of a closer interaction between students and teaching staff, and the necessity to initiate students precociously in two broad fields of medical activity: "real" basic science and contact with the public (also helping students--future doctors and nutritionists--to be able to communicate with lay people). Most activities were evaluated by the students through written questionnaires and informal conversations, along various semesters, indicating good acceptance and approval of these methods. Good student scores in the biochemistry exams and seminars indicated that these activities are also working as valid educational tools.     

Virtual Bystanders in a Language Lesson: Examining the Effect of Social Evaluation,Vicarious Experience,Cognitive Consistency and Praising on Students' Beliefs,Self-Efficacy and Anxiety in a Virtual Reality Environment

Bystanders in a real world''s social setting have the ability to influence people’s beliefs and behavior. This study examines whether this effect can be recreated in a virtual environment, by exposing people to virtual bystanders in a classroom setting. Participants (n = 26) first witnessed virtual students answering questions from an English teacher, after which they were also asked to answer questions from the teacher as part of a simulated training for spoken English. During the experiment the attitudes of the other virtual students in the classroom was manipulated; they could whisper either positive or negative remarks to each other when a virtual student was talking or when a participant was talking. The results show that the expressed attitude of virtual bystanders towards the participants affected their self-efficacy, and their avoidance behavior. Furthermore, the experience of witnessing bystanders commenting negatively on the performance of other students raised the participants’ heart rate when it was their turn to speak. Two-way interaction effects were also found on self-reported anxiety and self-efficacy. After witnessing bystanders’ positive attitude towards peer students, participants’ self-efficacy when answering questions received a boost when bystanders were also positive towards them, and a blow when bystanders reversed their attitude by being negative towards them. Still, inconsistency, instead of consistency, between the bystanders’ attitudes towards virtual peers and the participants was not found to result in a larger change in the participants’ beliefs. Finally the results also reveal that virtual flattering or destructive criticizing affected the participants’ beliefs not only about the virtual bystanders, but also about the neutral teacher. Together these findings show that virtual bystanders in a classroom can affect people’s beliefs, anxiety and behavior.