The emergent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education in Malaysia has embarked challenges in higher education system. Conventional teaching methods often cause lower learning gain, fear and bad perceptions among students. The old initiative may also be the cause of students' demotivation, lower interest in learning a…

Students' achievement in Biology is often looked up as a benchmark to evaluate the mode of teaching and learning in higher education. Problem-based learning (PBL) is an approach that focuses on students' solving a problem through collaborative groups. There were eighty samples involved in this study. The samples were divided into three groups: ICT…

Presents a scenario about a planet that uses problem based learning to teach evolution and ecology to freshman biology students. (YDS)

Provides examples to aid in describing the transferable skills gained rather than rote memorization through the use of problem-based learning. Also demonstrates how the distance-learner (student with poor access to libraries and virtually no interaction with other students) can benefit from certain elements of a problem-based approach. (ZWH)

Presents a rear-end car accident scenario to teach about forces and kinetic energy in a problem-based learning format. Includes four parts: (1) "A Bad Day for Sandy Dayton"; (2) "The Emergency Room"; (3) "The Facts of the Case"; and (4) "Judgement Day". Discusses the major issues of the questions, introduces scientific concepts, and initiates…

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are frequently asked to lead discussion groups. These groups generally take the form of tutorials, review sessions, or problem-based learning classes. In their preparation, what to teach is often emphasized over how to teach. The primary intent of this article is to provide a few simple teaching strategies for…

Describes a problem-based human biology course for undergraduate nonscience majors. Discusses the nature of problem-based learning, effectiveness of problem-based learning in a nonmajors' science course, course development, and implications. Contains 14 references. (JRH)

Partnerships between members of the scientific community at institutes of higher education and the K-12 education community are an increasingly popular approach to science education reform (Atkin, 1989; Chatman, 2002; Sussman, 1993; NSF, 2003a, 2003b). Although the word "partnership" can mean many things to many people, we use the term…

Examines a lesson in which students are engaged in inquiry in evolutionary biology to develop better understanding of concepts and reasoning skills necessary to support knowledge claims about changes in the genetic structure of populations known as microevolution. Explains how a software simulation, EVOLVE, can be used to foster discussions about…

Describes the investigative case-study approach in biology, a variant of problem-based learning. Students develop questions that lend themselves to scientific investigation and develop their own investigative approaches. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Evolution is often equated with natural selection and is taught from a primarily functional perspective while comparative and historical approaches, which are critical for developing an appreciation of the power of evolutionary theory, are often neglected. This report describes a study of expert problem-solving in phylogenetic tree construction.…

Discusses possibilities for improving undergraduate-level general-education biology courses, particularly through the development of interesting and focused laboratory presentations. Advocates problem-based learning and improving the communication skills of laboratory teaching assistants. (Author/WRM)

Case-based approaches are effective for teaching and learning science, encouraging student-directed collaborative learning and active engagement. This paper looks at using cases in science teaching and learning at the secondary and undergraduate levels and the impact these approaches have on teachers, students, curricula, and classroom…

As greater accountability in higher education grows, authentic learning has found a prominent place in the education agenda. Technology continues to open up possibilities for innovative and effective learning opportunities, and students and teachers are no longer happy to accept familiar classroom-based pedagogies that rely on content delivery and…

The IADIS CELDA 2012 Conference intention was to address the main issues concerned with evolving learning processes and supporting pedagogies and applications in the digital age. There had been advances in both cognitive psychology and computing that have affected the educational arena. The convergence of these two disciplines is increasing at a…