[bioundgrd] 7.391: Concept-Centered Teaching

[Stu Dietz]

7.391 Special Topics in Biology for Undergraduates

Spring 2006: Concept-Centered Teaching
Instructor: Melissa Kosinski-Collins (kosinski at mit.edu)

Do you like teaching, but find yourself frustrated by how little 
students seem to learn?  Would you like to try teaching, but are 
nervous about whether you will be any good at it?  Are you interested 
in new research on science education?  If so, 7.391 is the course for 
you!

7.391 is a weekly seminar on science education open to both graduate 
and undergraduate students.  Participants will read primary 
literature on science education, uncover basic concepts often 
overlooked when teaching biology, and lead a small weekly discussion 
session for students in 7.014 or 7.02.  Students will be encouraged 
to attend lecture for 7.014 or weekly review sessions for 7.02 to 
obtain a first-hand view of the material being covered and will be 
paired with mentors from last semester?s course.

Research in science education shows that the greatest obstacle to 
student learning is the failure to identify and confront the 
misconceptions with which the students enter the class or those that 
they acquire during their studies.  This course focuses on developing 
the participants' ability to uncover and confront student 
misconceptions and to foster student understanding and retention of 
key concepts.

Participants are encouraged to remain in the program as mentors for 
the fall semester.

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