LeadÂ
Michael Deyholos, Professor and Head, Biology, Unit 2, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
Collaborators
- Sunita Chowrira, Senior Instructor, Botany/Biology, UBC Vancouver Campus
- Matthew Nelson, Lecturer, Biology, Unit 2, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
- Richard Plunkett, Instructor, Biology, Unit 2, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
- Robin Young, Lecturer, Botany/Biology, UBC Vancouver Campus
Summary
BIOL 200 (Cell Biology) is representative of a major gap in undergraduate science education: second-year courses tend to have very large enrolments, but lack the lab components that enhance first-year courses. This is especially true in molecular/cellular biology, due to the high cost of lab materials. Thus, traditional lectures are the main delivery format for second-year courses. We propose to develop new learning objects and, at UBC-O, implement a blended course delivery system for BIOL 200. The 160 min/week of traditional lectures will be replaced with on-line learning modules (customized animations, videos, readings, and assessments), which will be complemented by 80 min/week of classroom activities centered on team-based learning (quizzes, case studies, computer simulations) and live demonstrations. This partially flipped approach will improve student outcomes, improve efficiency of course delivery, and provide a model for flexible, blended learning in other second-year science courses at UBC.