Some subscribers to Phys-L might be interested in
a recent post "Re: Resources for active learning
in labs" [Hake (2012)]. The abstract reads:
*******************************************
ABSTRACT: Torsten Bernhardt in his STLHE-L post
"Resources for active learning in labs," wrote
(paraphrasing): "I'm having difficulties finding:
(a) resources for undergraduate biology labs that
would be not only hands-on but also promote
student engagement; (b) information on how such
labs can be set up."
I suggest that Torsten might consider the
possibility of "Socratic Dialogue Inducing" (SDI)
Labs for *biology*. My own SDI labs
<http://bit.ly/9nGd3M> are for *physics*
(Newtonian mechanics), but the idea of using
Socratic Dialogue in labs could be applied to
almost any STEM (science, technology,
engineering, math) subject. SDI labs are an
example of "interactive engagement" methods,
operationally defined <http://bit.ly/9484DG> as
"those designed at least in part to promote
conceptual understanding through active
engagement of students in heads-on (always) and
hands-on (usually) activities which yield
immediate feedback through discussion with peers
and/or instructors."
*******************************************
"Š I point to the following unwelcome truth: much
as we might dislike the implications, research is
showing that didactic exposition of abstract
ideas and lines of reasoning (however engaging
and lucid we might try to make them) to passive
listeners yields pathetically thin results in
learning and understanding - except in the very
small percentage of students who are specially
gifted in the field."
Arnold Arons (1997)
REFERENCES [URL's shortened by <http://bit.ly/> and accessed on 06 March 2012.]
Arons, A.B. 1997. "Teaching Introductory
Physics," p. 362. Wiley, publisher's information
at <http://bit.ly/jBcyBU>. Amazon.com information
at <http://amzn.to/bBPfop>, note the searchable
"Look Inside" feature.
Hake, R.R. 2012. "Re: Resources for active
learning in labs" on the OPEN! AERA-L archives at
<http://bit.ly/ArSeyq> Post of 9 Mar 2012
09:30:25 -0800 to AERA-L and Net-Gold. The
abstract and link to the complete post are being
transmitted to several discussion lists and are
also on my blog "Hake'sEdStuff" at
<http://bit.ly/wFkHM1> with a provision for
comments.