Tower of Light on Edison's Campus |
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Tower of Light on Edison's Campus |
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| In 1994, the Human Biology classes broke away from the traditional framework of separate lecture and lab sessions to create a more student-centered, collaboratory atmosphere. The original, traditional lab room was restructured with round tables. |
| Swivel chairs with cushioned seats were added to make the class more comfortable for students and to encourage them to interact with other students during group work. |
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There are lab tables in the back of the room for students to use when working with microscopes or dissecting specimens. A microscope with an attached video camera (seen at the back of the room below the clock) visually involves students in the topic being presented. |
| A variety of human models, aquariums, and plants create an atmosphere that we are studying life and this truly is a biological setting. |
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| There is no separate lab time
each week. Two periods of two hours and fifteen minutes each are
allocated for the lecture integrated with laboratory activities.
Anatomy and Physiology topics are naturally adapted to direct student observation.
Models are placed on each classroom table so that students can observe
anatomical features as they are described by the instructor or discussed
among the student groups.
Traditionally, laboratory topics follow lecture during the school week. Now there are many variations of how material is covered: sometimes students observe anatomy before the topics are introduced by the instructor, then the anatomy is simply treated as a review when physiology and health considerations are discussed. |
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A variety of approaches introduce topics, from lecture to student-centered activities. A laser disk, and a CD-ROM disk, that accompanies the textbook, are utilized by students in a self-paced manner. These materials are used both in class because of their excellent video and as review outside the classroom. The classroom computer is linked to the Worldwide Web where we can consult this technology for answers as questions arise in our discussions. (A web report project is included in the syllabus.) |
| During the semester
the students are gradually weaned from being lead to the answers to leading
themselves successfully through some of the concepts. A variety of
methods are used during the semester to assess student learning.
This variety (mixed with hopefully a dash of humor) is designed to keep
the class interesting. Of course, the greatest reward is
having the students echo this sentiment. |
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