Innovation in a Time of Crisis: Adapting Active Learning Approaches for Remote Biology Courses

Area of Science:

• Biology Education
• Online Learning
• Science Pedagogy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid transition from in-person to remote education.
• Integrating active learning strategies, crucial for science engagement, proved challenging in online formats.
• Instructors faced difficulties adapting traditional methods for remote communication, access, and participation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present solutions for adapting in-person active learning activities in undergraduate introductory biology courses for remote learning.
• To address the challenges of maintaining effective communication, equitable access, and student participation in online science education.

Main Methods:

• Development of three distinct remote-adaptable active learning strategies during the pandemic.
• Focus on adapting an experiential hands-on activity, an interactive lab, and a research project.
• Utilizing existing remote tools and the flexibility of the online environment.

Main Results:

• Successful adaptation of diverse active learning components for remote delivery.
• Demonstrated feasibility of creating meaningful student connections in a virtual setting.
• Leveraged online tools to enhance, rather than merely replicate, in-person learning experiences.

Conclusions:

• Active learning in science can be effectively implemented in remote settings.
• The online environment offers unique opportunities to expand active learning possibilities.
• Remote learning adaptations can foster robust student engagement and instructor-student connections.