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Resources for Teaching and Assessing the Vision and Change Biology Core Concepts
Janet L Branchaw1, Pamela A Pape-Lindstrom2, Kimberly D Tanner3
1Department of Kinesiology, Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706.
CBE Life Sciences Education
|May 2, 2020
Summary
This study offers resources to transform undergraduate biology education by focusing on core concepts. Frameworks and assessment tools help map, teach, and evaluate student learning of essential biology principles.
Area of Science:
- Undergraduate biology education reform
- Science education curriculum development
- Assessment of student learning in biology
Background:
- The Vision and Change report emphasized the need for the biology community to focus on core concepts in teaching.
- There is a need for practical resources to implement these recommendations at both course and departmental levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a collection of resources designed to transform undergraduate biology education.
- To provide frameworks for articulating and mapping core biology concepts.
- To offer instruments for assessing student learning of these core concepts.
Main Methods:
- Presentation of two frameworks: BioCore Guide and Conceptual Elements (CE) Framework for curriculum mapping and design.
- Description of using these frameworks with the Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education curricular rubric for departmental self-assessment.
- Highlighting three sets of instruments for assessing student learning: Biology Card Sorting Task, Biology Core Concept Instruments, and Biology-Measuring Achievement and Progression in Science instruments.
Main Results:
- The described resources provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the Vision and Change report's call.
- Frameworks facilitate the integration of core concepts into curricula.
- Assessment instruments allow for direct measurement of student understanding of core biology concepts.
Conclusions:
- The presented resources offer practical tools for educators and departments to enhance undergraduate biology education.
- These resources can be used independently or synergistically to improve teaching and learning of core biology concepts.
- Implementation of these tools supports the transformation of biology education towards a concept-centered approach.
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