Industrial Ecology Education at Wuhan University

China requires industrial ecology (IE) skills and knowledge to deal with the contradiction between rapid economic growth and subsequent environmental pollution and resource depletion. Industrial ecology education was introduced in China in 1997 and now a few Chinese universities offer IE courses. Wuhan University is one of them and since 1999 has committed itself to promoting IE education. The university offers different curricula for different majors at all levels: undergraduate, master's, and doctoral. Between 1999 and 2004 more than 5,000 students received IE education at Wuhan University. Although inadequate human resources and a lack of relevant textbooks present challenges to further developing IE education in China, as more universities pay attention to IE, more courses will be developed. It is believed that IE education in China will blossom in the near future.     

Industrial Ecology Education at Tsinghua University

As a leading university in engineering education in China, Tsinghua University implemented industrial ecology (IE) education in the 1990s. This article describes the evolution of IE education at Tsinghua. Tsinghua mainstreams IE education into green education and engineering education not only by establishing independent courses of IE for both undergraduate and graduate students, but also by incorporating IE principles and knowledge modules into an increasing number of courses. During 2002–2015, a total of 1,023 undergraduates from 33 schools and departments participated in an IE course. To cope with the diversity of participants, four knowledge modules were customized for an undergraduate course: concepts and history; methods and tools; topics and applications; and policy and perspectives. Meanwhile, an interdisciplinary teaching method was adopted by inviting experts from diverse disciplines and organizing group discussions. Though the course has received strong positive feedback, four challenges still remain in IE education: defining the knowledge boundary, presenting an integrated view, utilizing an interdisciplinary methodology, and cultivating a class culture.     

Perspectives on facilitating dynamic ecology courses online using active learning

As education methodology has grown to incorporate online learning, disciplines with a field component, like ecology, may find themselves sidelined in this transition. In response to challenges posed by moving classes online, previous studies have assessed whether an online environment can be effective for student learning. This work has found that active learning structures, which maximize information processing and require critical thinking, best support student learning. All too commonly, online and active learning are perceived as mutually exclusive. We argue the success of online learning requires facilitating active learning in online spaces. To highlight this intersection in practice, we use a case study of an online, active, and synchronous ecology and conservation biology course from the College of Natural Sciences at Minerva Schools at KGI. We use our perspectives as curriculum designers, instructors, and students of this course to offer recommendations for creating active online ecology courses. Key components to effective course design and implementation are as follows: facilitating critical “thinking like a scientist”, integrating open‐ended assignments into class discussion, and creating active in‐class dialogues by minimizing lecturing. Based on our experience, we suggest that by employing active learning strategies, the future of ecology in higher education is not inhibited, but in fact supported, by opportunities for learning online.     

对重症医学科进修生的临床教学体会

重症医学在我国发展较为滞后,多数重症医学科医生来自于其他专业,缺乏重症医学专业知识及临床实践经验。建立完善、科学、有效的重症医学科进修生管理和培养模式对于进一步提高危重症救治专业人才的水平至关重要。我科室通过总结多年的进修生教学经验,以"病例分析学习(case based learning,CBL)+多学科协作(multiple department team,MDT)"教学模式为主导,以病例幻灯竞赛为契机激发进修医生学习的主观能动性;以专业英语为特色;重视临床科研教学;制定规范化培训制度,实行导师负责制,开展定期考核。显著提高了重症医学科进修生的医疗及科研水平。     

A Simulation Tool for Industrial Ecology: Creating a Board Game

This article presents a board game that was developed for use as a simulation tool in teaching the basic concepts of industrial ecology (IE). The game, with the automobile industry as its theme, includes realistic numbers and displays a variety of IE principles. The objectives of the simulation, however, transcend the automobile industry and apply to other manufacturing industries. They include: pollution prevention, design for environment (in several forms, including design for disassembly), environmental management, and life-cycle assessment. The game has already been played by engineering and business professors, graduate students in environmental engineering, government representatives, and industry executives. A statistical analysis performed on pre- and post-game questionnaires indicates that the game is an effective teaching tool.     

“微生物学”全英文课程的建设改革与思考

“微生物学”是高等院校生物类、生物工程类及相关专业的专业基础课程。目前我国高等院校的“微生物学”以中文授课为主,但随着“双一流”建设等教改政策的推进及学生求学多元化需求的增加,全英文“微生物学”课程建设已势在必行。华东理工大学自2016年即开始“微生物学”全英文授课,并在授课方式和课程内容方面进行了改革和创新。“微生物学”全英文课程开设后,学生的学习兴趣有了很大的提高,科研能力和实践能力有了长足的进步,在专业英语的听、说、读、写能力方面也领先于同年级其他同学,为“双一流”建设背景下国家级一流本科专业创新性人才培养提供了重要支撑。     

Teaching Industrial Ecology to Graduate Students: Experiences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology

We reflect on our experiences in developing and teaching industrial ecology to interdisciplinary classes of M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. During a three-year period different ways of teaching a course in industrial ecology were tested. We conclude that an industrial ecology course has positive effects on the students' ability to acquire a holistic understanding of life-cycle environmental performance, a skill much in demand by industry. Such a course should be based on problem-oriented learning. We recommend the use of thematically-focused seminars with time for both lectures and workshops. We found that substantial participation by teachers from different disciplines and partners from industry and government is very effective. Such a course also facilitates a broader process of change within the university. Implementing industrial ecology in the university requires a joint effort and collaboration among various faculties and departments, where research activities, student projects, as well as regular student teaching and tutoring, must be complementary elements of a major interdisciplinary strategy. Such a strategy has been employed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) since the first initiatives in this area were taken in 1993, and this has led to our present more comprehensive Industrial Ecology Programme (IndEcol).     

中国产业生态学发展的回顾与展望

作为一门探讨产业发展与生态环境之间相互关系的学科,产业生态学需要对我国生态化转型重大战略选择做出贡献。本文回顾与评述了产业生态学在我国的发展,指出产业生态学在我国的起源具有多源性,既有着中国传统哲学的传承,也有着多种工程学科的经验升华,还有着前苏联经验的烙印。在进入新世纪后,我国产业生态学的发展开始深受西方学术的影响,逐渐建立起较为系统的教育、研究和组织体系。这些成果体现在课程开设、学科建设、机构成立和研究发表等方面。本专栏评述了其中的代表性领域并收录了相关成果,例如生命周期评价和产业共生等。在探讨产业生态学学科发展的现实性、理论性及政治性基础上,提出了需要进一步观察、总结和提炼过去的发展实践,需要关注中国根本性和战略性的核心问题,需要建构产业生态学的中国学派,需要加速建设产业生态学的教育和学科发展体系,并接受生态文明转型这一历史使命的挑战,为中国乃至世界产业生态学发展以及产业生态化做出贡献。     

Student-generated instructional videos facilitate learning through positive emotions

The central focus of this study is a learning method in which university students produce instructional videos about the content matter as part of their learning process, combined with other learning assignments. The rationale for this is to promote a more multimodal pedagogy, and to provide students opportunities for a more learner-centred, motivating, active, engaging and productive role in their learning process. As such we designed a ‘video course’ where the students needed to produce an instructional video which could be used for university teaching. In addition to producing the video, the students needed to write a literature review of the topic of the video and a learning journal. At the end of the course the students filled a questionnaire regarding their learning and emotions during the project. Based on the students’ subjective answers, it appeared that producing a video, combined with writing the literature review can be an efficient way of learning. Most students found the project emotionally very positive and regarded it motivating to work on a video which they knew will have use in the future. This research suggests that a multimodal video project in a higher education setting enhances learning through increased motivation and positive emotions.     

中国生物化学课程教学改革的历程(1985~2021)与成绩——基于NVivo 11 Plus软件的系统分析

课程是人才培养的核心要素,是学生从大学里受益最直接、最核心和最显效的途径。生物化学是生命科学中重要的核心课程。梳理我国生物化学课程教学改革的变迁对促进全国生物化学教育事业的发展具有实践意义。本文收集了自1985年以来,生物化学教学改革研究的文献5 871篇。按照国家主要教育方针政策和策略转变文件,将文献按其年份划分为1985~2006,2007~2012,2013~2016和2017~2021四个阶段。运用软件NVivo 11 Plus对文献题录文本和关键词进行相似性分析表明,生物化学课程教学研究与国家教育发展策略相适应,具有鲜明的时代特征。依据扎根理论,通过编码处理和客观分析,将生物化学教学研究划分为“教学策略”、“教学方向”、“教学对象”和“教学评价”四个范畴。详细阐述了“以学生为中心”的生物化学教学改革研究取得的成效:整合包括结构性思维、问题导向、团队合作、翻转课堂和线上线下混合的多种教学方法;结合包括多媒体、虚拟仿真和互联网的先进教学技术;发掘思政元素并将思政教育贯穿到生物化学教学全过程。从强化学生学习能力,关注学习效果和促进学生发展的多元角度促进我国生物化学教学事业的全面发展。     

Engaging students through online video homework assignments: A case study in a large‐enrollment ecology and evolution course

Online educational videos have the potential to enhance undergraduate biology learning, for example by showcasing contemporary scientific research and providing content coverage. Here, we describe the integration of nine videos into a large‐enrollment (n = 356) introductory evolution and ecology course via weekly homework assignments. We predicted that videos that feature research stories from contemporary scientists could reinforce topics introduced in lecture and provide students with novel insights into the nature of scientific research. Using qualitative analysis of open‐ended written feedback from the students on each video assigned throughout the term (n = 133–229 responses per video) and on end‐of‐quarter evaluations (n = 243), we identified common categories of student perspectives. All videos received more positive than negative comments and all videos received comments indicating that students found them intellectually and emotionally stimulating, accessible, and relevant to course content. Additionally, all videos also received comments indicating some students found them intellectually unstimulating, though these comments were generally far less numerous than positive comments. Students responded positively to videos that incorporated at least one of the following: documentary‐style filming, very clear links to course content (especially hands‐on activities completed by the students), relevance to recent world events, clarity on difficult topics, and/or charismatic narrators or species. We discuss opportunities and challenges for the use of online educational videos in teaching ecology and evolution, and we provide guidelines instructors can use to integrate them into their courses.     

The Green Design Apprenticeship

In order to convey the results of our industrial ecology research to broader audiences, the Green Design Institute research group at Carnegie Mellon University offers the Green Design Apprenticeship for local high school students. The Green Design Apprenticeship introduces participants to industrial ecology concepts and how they intersect with engineering. The content of the program has evolved to include the topics of life cycle assessment, energy and water resources, transportation, and the built environment. The program has resulted in exposing a new generation of scholars to industrial ecology and has also benefited the research of graduate students involved with the program. The process of developing the instructional materials for younger, novice students based on complex industrial ecology research was a challenging task requiring thoughtful and iterative planning. Through the development and delivery of the program, we have experienced awareness of where our own research fits into the larger industrial ecology scope, have improved our communication of complex industrial ecology concepts into simple terms, and have gained valuable insight for engaging students in our teaching.     

Anticipation of Personal Genomics Data Enhances Interest and Learning Environment in Genomics and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Courses

An important discussion at colleges is centered on determining more effective models for teaching undergraduates. As personalized genomics has become more common, we hypothesized it could be a valuable tool to make science education more hands on, personal, and engaging for college undergraduates. We hypothesized that providing students with personal genome testing kits would enhance the learning experience of students in two undergraduate courses at Brigham Young University: Advanced Molecular Biology and Genomics. These courses have an emphasis on personal genomics the last two weeks of the semester. Students taking these courses were given the option to receive personal genomics kits in 2014, whereas in 2015 they were not. Students sent their personal genomics samples in on their own and received the data after the course ended. We surveyed students in these courses before and after the two-week emphasis on personal genomics to collect data on whether anticipation of obtaining their own personal genomic data impacted undergraduate student learning. We also tested to see if specific personal genomic assignments improved the learning experience by analyzing the data from the undergraduate students who completed both the pre- and post-course surveys. Anticipation of personal genomic data significantly enhanced student interest and the learning environment based on the time students spent researching personal genomic material and their self-reported attitudes compared to those who did not anticipate getting their own data. Personal genomics homework assignments significantly enhanced the undergraduate student interest and learning based on the same criteria and a personal genomics quiz. We found that for the undergraduate students in both molecular biology and genomics courses, incorporation of personal genomic testing can be an effective educational tool in undergraduate science education.     

高校《普通动物学》教学中实施自主学习的探索

课堂教学是学生获取知识的主渠道,教会学生如何自主学习已经成为世界各国基础教育的根本任务之一。在现代社会自主学习是学习者所必备的重要能力之一,在课堂教学模式下,让学生走自主学习之路是学会学习的有效途径。作者对本校《普通动物学》课堂教学模式下实施自主学习现状进行了分析、对比、改进,目的在于培养学生自主学习的意识,增强自主学习能力,提高学习效率。结果证明学生在自主式教学模式下积极性被充分调动,学习成绩显著提高。     

Comparative evaluation of active learning and the traditional lectures in physiology: A case study of 200 level medical laboratory students of Imo State Unversity, Owerri.

Currently, understanding of Physiology and disease patterns is undergoing a fundamental paradigm shift with attendant shift in education of health professionals worldwide towards active learning to encourage exploration of connections and their relationships. We introduced problem-based learning to Physiology teaching of medial laboratory students to confirm worldwide reports that active learning environments offer better learning opportunities over the traditional methods which is the predominant teaching method in Nigerian universities. Our findings indicate that Problem-based learning increases students' attendance/participation in classes and performance in examination. We recommend the integration of active learning into physiology curriculum of Nigerian Universities.     

医学生理学国际化教学的实践与思考

留学生教育是我国高等教育的一个不可缺少的组成部分.在留学生医学教育中,作为桥梁课程连接基础与临床医学的生理学是一门非常重要的基础学科.本文结合近年来对留学生生理教学的实践和研究,从国际留学生特点及生理学教学特点出发,通过制定合适的培养目标和课程教学计划,加强教师自身素质培养,提高英语授课质量,运用多种教学方式激发留学生的学习兴趣及能力,加强授课教师与留学生的交流与沟通方面来探索创新生理学国际化的教学.     

Teaching and learning in ecology: a horizon scan of emerging challenges and solutions

We currently face significant, anthropogenic, global environmental challenges and the role of ecologists in mitigating these challenges is arguably more important than ever. Consequently there is an urgent need to recruit and train future generations of ecologists, both those whose main area is ecology, but also those involved in the geological, biological and environmental sciences. Here we present the results of a horizon scanning exercise that identified current and future challenges facing the teaching of ecology, through surveys of teachers, students and employers of ecologists. Key challenges identified were grouped in terms of the perspectives of three groups: students, for example the increasing disconnect between people and nature; teachers, for example the challenges associated with teaching the quantitative skills that are inherent to the study of ecology; and society, for example poor societal perceptions of the field of ecology. In addition to the challenges identified, we propose a number of solutions developed at a workshop by a team of ecology teaching experts, with supporting evidence of their potential to address many of the problems raised. These proposed solutions include developing living labs, teaching students to be ecological entrepreneurs and influencers, embedding skills-based learning and coding in the curriculum, an increased role for learned societies in teaching and learning, and using new technology to enhance fieldwork studies including virtual reality, artificial intelligence and real-time spoken language translation. Our findings are focused towards UK higher education, but they should be informative for students and teachers of a wide range of educational levels, policy makers and professional ecologists worldwide.     

Postsecondary Education in Industrial Ecology Across the World

In recent years, industrial ecology (IE) has become increasingly integrated into formal education as a distinct body of work. The aim of this article is to describe the state of IE in postsecondary education across the world by providing an inventory of programs and courses offered from a search conducted during the summer of 2012. Although some interpretation of the results is conducted, the aim of this article is to provide a snapshot of the state of IE in higher education in 2012 and serve as a starting point for future work. Data were collected on IE courses and programs across the world by Internet search in order to determine the prevalence of IE in postsecondary curricula. Subsequently, 190 universities and colleges from 46 countries were identified as offering courses and/or programs in IE. From this research, a total of 409 courses and 78 programs were inventoried and course content was analyzed (where available). The results indicate that IE is mainly studied at the graduate level within engineering and environmental disciplines, although undergraduate‐level curricula are emerging. In terms of disciplinary departments offering said curricula, IE is presented as a topic of instruction in varied fields of study, such as business and administration, and the arts. From the course syllabi analyzed, the main subjects being taught within IE education are introductory principles and general tools. Advanced or specialized aspects of the field are also covered, however, less frequently.     

Small-group learning in an upper-level university biology class enhances academic performance and student attitudes toward group work

To improve science learning, science educators' teaching tools need to address two major criteria: teaching practice should mirror our current understanding of the learning process; and science teaching should reflect scientific practice. We designed a small-group learning (SGL) model for a fourth year university neurobiology course using these criteria and studied student achievement and attitude in five course sections encompassing the transition from individual work-based to SGL course design. All students completed daily quizzes/assignments involving analysis of scientific data and the development of scientific models. Students in individual work-based (Individualistic) sections usually worked independently on these assignments, whereas SGL students completed assignments in permanent groups of six. SGL students had significantly higher final exam grades than Individualistic students. The transition to the SGL model was marked by a notable increase in 10th percentile exam grade (Individualistic: 47.5%; Initial SGL: 60%; Refined SGL: 65%), suggesting SGL enhanced achievement among the least prepared students. We also studied student achievement on paired quizzes: quizzes were first completed individually and submitted, and then completed as a group and submitted. The group quiz grade was higher than the individual quiz grade of the highest achiever in each group over the term. All students--even term high achievers--could benefit from the SGL environment. Additionally, entrance and exit surveys demonstrated student attitudes toward SGL were more positive at the end of the Refined SGL course. We assert that SGL is uniquely-positioned to promote effective learning in the science classroom.     

生物技术专业环境微生物学课程探索与改革

本文主要介绍对生物技术专业高年级学生或研究生开设的环境微生物学课程在教学内容、教学方法与考核方式方面的改革,主要包括制定新教学大纲、选择新版中英文教材、引用创新成果更新授课内容、引导学生自主学习和注重能力考核等方面。