Abstract Detail

Teaching Section

Roche, Bernadette M. [1].

The Seminar Course as Journal Club in Plant-Animal Interactions.

TThe C.R.E.A.T.E. method (consider, read, elucidate hypotheses, analyze data, and think of the next experiment) is an NSF supported educational initiative used to enhance and deepen students understanding of the fluidity of science while also demonstrating who does science and why.  The method employs journal articles from the primary literature to guide students through the entire scientific process, while also teaching course content in a more intimate and enticing manner. The method also develops critical thinking skills that can be applied to other courses and future careers.  I have adapted the C.R.E.A.T.E. method to design a seminar course for my upper level biology major’s course in Plant-Animal Interactions.  I start by suggesting “hot topics” in plant-animal interactions, including: the worldwide decline of a globally important pollinator, the honeybee; the role of plant invasions in disrupting plant-animal interactions; and the highly popular plant-animal interaction between humans and medicinal plants.  Students form groups of 3 or 4 to create a journal club that will last throughout the semester, to address one of these topics (each group must choose a different topic).  Each week, they use aspects of the C.R.E.A.T.E. method to refine their hypotheses and to lead to the choice of the next paper they will explore together.   I impose an organizational structure on the journal club for the entire semester, but allow the students to determine the direction of the research their group will explore, which can change from week to week as they add more primary literature and in depth knowledge to their group’s shared experience. They will have read, critically analyzed, and discussed the implications of 8 primary literature articles related to their particular topic by the end of the course.  The course ends with students presenting a research proposal on a refined area of their broader topic to the rest of the class.  Student feedback has been positive in the seminar course, and a formerly low-enrollment course is now full at 24 every semester.

Related Links:
Teach C.R.E.A.T.E.

1 - Loyola University Maryland, Biology, 4501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21210, USA

Keywords:
C.R.E.A.T.E. method
critical thinking.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 19
Location: Cottonwoods North/Boise Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Time: 11:15 AM
Number: 19013
Abstract ID:714
Candidate for Awards:None