Proposal Title
Transforming science education at a large research university; progress report from the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative at the University of British Columbia
Room
Labatt Health Sciences Building Room 236
Start Date
7-7-2011 9:00 AM
Keywords
Plenary Address
Primary Threads
Other
Abstract
In 2007, we set out to work with the science departments at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to achieve widespread use of effective research-based educational practices within their departments. The model focuses on the department as the unit of change and allocates one-time funds through a competitive process. Our emphasis is on scientific teaching, developing good measures of student learning and making changes to improve it. Departments with relatively large-scale programs are Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science, and the Biology program; we also have smaller scale programs in Chemistry and Statistics. I will describe the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative (CWSEI) and progress to date, along with highlights from several departments. I’ll also discuss the challenges we faced and factors that have facilitated (or inhibited) change. The good news is that it is possible to create an evidence-based teaching culture in a department. The next challenge is to make this more common, across the country and the world, without significant extra resources.
Media Format
vimeo
Transforming science education at a large research university; progress report from the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative at the University of British Columbia
Labatt Health Sciences Building Room 236
In 2007, we set out to work with the science departments at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to achieve widespread use of effective research-based educational practices within their departments. The model focuses on the department as the unit of change and allocates one-time funds through a competitive process. Our emphasis is on scientific teaching, developing good measures of student learning and making changes to improve it. Departments with relatively large-scale programs are Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science, and the Biology program; we also have smaller scale programs in Chemistry and Statistics. I will describe the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative (CWSEI) and progress to date, along with highlights from several departments. I’ll also discuss the challenges we faced and factors that have facilitated (or inhibited) change. The good news is that it is possible to create an evidence-based teaching culture in a department. The next challenge is to make this more common, across the country and the world, without significant extra resources.