NSE Course Development Workshop - PowerPoint Presentation

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NSE Course Development WorkshopMay 14, 2015

NSEs for High-Ability StudentsSlide2

High expectations, particularly related to gradesBurn out/complacency

More competitive peer group

Desire for stabilitySocial awkwardnessLack of familiarity with campus/materialOthers?

Challenges Facing High-Ability StudentsSlide3

Academic exposureA test run

Both challenging and reassuring

A legitimate and valuable academic experienceDeveloping college life skillsAdjusting to BaylorFostering positive social behaviors

Merging the social and academic

Making the class relevantDeveloping relationships with depth

GoalsSlide4

Goal-oriented Syllabus

Monday:

content deliveryWednesday:responding to out-of-class assignments

Friday:

Informal discussion, modern application; moving the classroomSlide5

Exposing students to different styles of teaching

Different modes of content delivery: lecture, debate, power point, online, research, scavenger hunt, think/pair/share, student-led lecture, flipped classroom, role play,

game playExposing students to different styles of learningGuided reading

C

lass discussionEncouraging self-motivationExposing students to different styles of assignment

Papers, quizzes, exams, social media, group projects

Combatting grade inflation

Lots of assignments

Some very low grades

Academic exposureSlide6

Moving the classroomCommon Grounds, locations on campus, Cameron Park, my house, online class

Extracurricular meetings

Breakfast in BrooksElevensiesGroup workMe

vs

ThemCollege Life SkillsSlide7

Toga! Toga!Slide8

Merging the Social and Academic

Classroom discussion (in and out of the classroom)

Debasing the coinage

“Thus it is clear that man recognizes God because, in a way, he remembers and recognizes the source from which he sprang. Moreover virtue exists in man and God alike.”

(Cicero,

On the Laws

1.25; Keyes trans.)Slide9

Academic exposureBasic class skills

Use standard text as core

Research-based learning Independent projectsExpertsDeveloping college life skills

Library skills

Positive classroom environmentCitizenshipWeekly discussion

Goals – application to a science NSESlide10

Student and issue-guided topics

Flexibility in the course

Go to the expertsPeer-reviewed journalsGuest lecturesEx. Religion and Sustainability (Dr. Fulton)Focus on current issues and events

Case studies

Ex. NY Times expose on nail salonsEPA response

Weekly discussion based on news stories

Build writing skills over course

Eliminate fluff!

Research-based learningSlide11

Introduce library and database queriesStart course with library training session

Christina Chan-Park

http://libcal.baylor.edu/profile/1433Empowers students with access to newest research and findingsCritical for science students

Primary medium for current research

Necessary skill for advanced courses

Library skillsSlide12

Flexible discussion time for current issues in Environmental Health

Ex. Ebola epidemic in 2014, new Clean Power plan

Students choose articlesRequired participation, interactionProfessor steps back, sits with classConnection of class topics to the real issues

Lack of a clear answer

Global community

Weekly discussionSlide13

Hello! 

I will not be in class today however I decided to send you my article that I planned for discussion in case there was time available in class. The article I choose is titled "Banning Lead Ammunition Could Give Condors a Chance". I would like to begin the discussion by saying that often times went it comes to toxic metals, especially lead, humans tend to only focus on the toxic effects it can have on humans and not the wildlife around us. However, toxic metals can definitely have effects on wildlife like the Condors in California.

Some points I'd like to take from the article: 

California becomes the first state to require that all hunting ammunition be lead-free.

The heavy metal's many harmful effects have led to its ban from sources such as paint and gasoline. But lead ammunition remains one of the largest unregulated sources of lead in the environment

Several studies have found that scavenging species such as golden eagles, bald eagles, ravens, turkey vultures, and pumas have been exposed to and affected by lead.

Lead poisoning is the leading cause of death in juvenile and free-flying California condors.

Condors aren't being shot by the lead bullets but when they eat the carcasses of animals shot with lead bullets they develop a risk of being exposed to the toxic metal. 

After the ban was first implemented in 2007, Condor populations and other bird species showed a decrease in lead exposure and poisoning. 

Many scientist are hoping this ban will have a domino effect in other states.

Questions for discussion: 

With the obvious proof behind the adverse effects of lead, why hasn't ammunition companies already made a complete switch from lead ammunition to non-lead ammunition? 

Research has shown that condors are still being exposed to lead after the lead ban, what could be some possible ways the condors are still being exposed to? 

Aside from benefits to wildlife populations, what would be some other benefits to a lead-free ammunition industry? Slide14

Build research, presentation and writing skillsIndependent topic selection

Foster ownership of project

Central theme ties topics togetherMandatory use of peer-reviewed literaturePresentation with audience participation5 min

Short, reference-heavy research paper

Independent projectsSlide15
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Classroom discussionEncourage all participation

First generation students

Male and female studentsBaylor communityEngage with their cohortAcademic opportunities and resources

Participate and thrive

Beyond the classroomHow to engage with academic topics in the “real world”

Citizenship