Pat Clark, Forrest Brem, School of Science
Principal Investigator: Pat Clark, lecturer, Department of Biology, School of Science
Co-Principal Investigators: Forrest Brem, lecturer, Department of Biology, School of Science
Project Title: Using a Parallel Course Redesign to Improve Student Retention and Success in a Two-semester Biology Sequence
Funding Level: $10,000
Abstract: Drs. Brem and Clark will redesign BIOL-N 207 Physiology for Healthcare Management and BIOL-N 211 Anatomy for Healthcare Management under a common model, attempt to quantify outcomes using data from Canvas, student surveys, and student performance in the course. We will disseminate outcomes and comply with all CTL grant requirements. The overall goal of this project is to improve student performance and reduce student attrition. The intent of the redesign of the two courses is to make course logistics more user friendly and equitable and will occur at multiple levels within the courses: standardization of Canvas page design, consistency in instructor course management, and standardization of the course syllabi, learning outcomes, group activities, practice assignments, laboratory simulations, quizzes, exams, and grading. The redesign of the courses will also develop a consistency in rigor and course requirements between the two courses and facilitate student transition from one course to the next, generally from BIOL-N 211 to BIOL-N 207. We plan to develop introduction/icebreaker, group, and active learning projects to help increase student-student engagement as well as student-instructor engagement. Potential venues of dissemination include Human Anatomy and Physiology National Conference, National Association of Biology Teachers Annual Conference, and IU Online Annual conference.