Session Type
Presentation
Room
P&A 117
Start Date
7-7-2017 2:20 PM
Keywords
integrated, collaborative learning, creativity, knowledge mobilization
Primary Threads
Teaching and Learning Science
Abstract
PROPOSAL:
With the changing mosaic of educational landscapes, educators attempt to implement creative strategies to engage students as committed contributors of knowledge. Effective learners embrace change-imposed challenges as valuable learning opportunities for academic advancement and scholarly progress. This session will describe a capstone undergraduate course that implements a fusion of problem-based learning (PBL) and inquiry frameworks to encourage students to apply concepts to synthesize solutions addressing real and pressing issues in Biology. The model utilizes in-lecture and online research activities, integrated presentations and reports, constructive feedback critiques, insight share-a-thons, “experts in the field” networking, and reflection journals. It sparks interdisciplinary mentorship involving upper level undergraduate students via the production of learning tools for current and future students. This capstone experience also scaffolds community-engaged and globally linked projects. A unique feature of the course involves students disseminating scientific knowledge using creative multimedia and distinctive role playing presentation themes, such as reality show global ecology policy makers, superheroes serving eco-wise agencies, and bio tourism info-commercials. These modes facilitate learning. Participants of this session will get “hands on” access to resources that show the model’s structure, educator/ students’ activities, assessment rubrics, and creative exemplars. It is anticipated that attendees will be inspired to implement these course components to support self-directed, team-based knowledge mobilization, and problem solving.
Elements of Engagement
This session will include a facilitated discussion and “hands on” interaction with media exemplars to formulate creative modes to mobilize knowledge, constructively critique, and problem solve.
Enhancing student-centered collaborative learning in capstone courses: A model for using creative themes and media for applied knowledge mobilization and integrated problem solving
P&A 117
PROPOSAL:
With the changing mosaic of educational landscapes, educators attempt to implement creative strategies to engage students as committed contributors of knowledge. Effective learners embrace change-imposed challenges as valuable learning opportunities for academic advancement and scholarly progress. This session will describe a capstone undergraduate course that implements a fusion of problem-based learning (PBL) and inquiry frameworks to encourage students to apply concepts to synthesize solutions addressing real and pressing issues in Biology. The model utilizes in-lecture and online research activities, integrated presentations and reports, constructive feedback critiques, insight share-a-thons, “experts in the field” networking, and reflection journals. It sparks interdisciplinary mentorship involving upper level undergraduate students via the production of learning tools for current and future students. This capstone experience also scaffolds community-engaged and globally linked projects. A unique feature of the course involves students disseminating scientific knowledge using creative multimedia and distinctive role playing presentation themes, such as reality show global ecology policy makers, superheroes serving eco-wise agencies, and bio tourism info-commercials. These modes facilitate learning. Participants of this session will get “hands on” access to resources that show the model’s structure, educator/ students’ activities, assessment rubrics, and creative exemplars. It is anticipated that attendees will be inspired to implement these course components to support self-directed, team-based knowledge mobilization, and problem solving.