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Perspectives on facilitating dynamic ecology courses online using active learning
Megan K Gahl1,2, Allison Gale1, Antonia Kaestner1
1College of Natural Sciences Minerva Schools at KGI San Francisco CA USA.
Ecology and Evolution
|April 26, 2021
Summary
Online learning can effectively support ecology education by integrating active learning strategies. This approach enhances student engagement and critical thinking in online ecology courses.
Area of Science:
- Ecology and Conservation Biology Education
- Online Learning Methodologies
- Higher Education Pedagogy
Background:
- Traditional ecology education faces challenges with the shift to online learning.
- Previous research indicates active learning structures best support student learning.
- Online and active learning are often perceived as incompatible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the effectiveness of active learning in online ecology courses.
- To provide practical recommendations for designing and implementing active online ecology education.
- To address the perceived limitations of online environments for field-based disciplines.
Main Methods:
- Case study of an online, active, and synchronous ecology and conservation biology course.
- Utilized perspectives from curriculum designers, instructors, and students.
- Focused on key components: "thinking like a scientist", open-ended assignments, and active dialogues.
Main Results:
- Active learning strategies can be successfully implemented in online ecology courses.
- Minimizing lecturing and integrating open-ended assignments foster active in-class dialogues.
- Facilitating critical thinking aligned with scientific practices is crucial.
Conclusions:
- Online learning does not inhibit, but can support, the future of ecology in higher education.
- Active learning is essential for successful online education in scientific disciplines.
- Recommendations are provided for creating engaging and effective active online ecology courses.
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