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BioCalc: A Model for Teaching Calculus to Biology Students
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Resource B. Methods Used to Produce this Case Study
Susan Millar and Anthony Jacob, researchers for the Institute on Learning Technology, conducted interviews and observed labs and classrooms during February 2000 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They interviewed four members of the Department of Mathematics:
- Jerry Uhl, Professor Mathematics
- Bruce Carpenter, Teaching Associate
- Brad Edge, graduate teaching assistant; and
- Paul Weichsel, Associate Chair.
They interviewed
- three other graduate teaching assistants with experience teaching BioCalc, and
- Tim Braun, a C&M student and lab technician in one of the three C&M computer labs.
Four members of the School of Life Sciences were interviewed:
- Susan Fahrbach, Associate Professor of Entomology and Faculty Director of the Howard Hughes Program
- Ruth Wene, Academic Advisor in the School's Advising Office
- Barbara Meyer, Computer-Assisted Instruction Specialist; and
- and Charles Miller, director of the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology.
They interviewed
- a group of four students currently enrolled in the BioCalc course and
- two students who had previously completed a BioCalc course,
- as well as an undergraduate classroom assistant.
The interviews were guided by the
protocols
used in all the Learning Through Technology case studies and were taped and transcribed. Sharon Schlegel analyzed the interview material to produce this case study, with substantial input and editing from Susan Millar. Andy Beversdorf, Sue Daffinrud, and Mark Connolly offered valuable editing and organizational suggestions in addition too much needed comedic relief.
Acknowledgements:
The authors thank the wonderful faculty, staff, and students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who participated in this study. These individuals very graciously responded to our request for their time and attention not only during the interview process, but during the writing of this case study as well.
This case study is based on a collaborative analysis and planning process undertaken by the NISE's Learning Through Technology "Fellows" group:
Jean-Pierre Bayard
Stephen Erhmann
John Jungck
Flora McMartin
Susan Millar
Marco Molinaro
The Fellows, in turn, benefited substantially from members of the College Level One Team:
Susan Daffinrud
Art Ellis
Kate Loftus-Fahl
Anthony Jacob
Robert Mathieu
A brief word on the purpose of the BioCalc case study:
The purpose of presenting this case study (as well as the others on the LT2 Website) is not to promote particular learning technologies like C&M but rather to promote the appropriate use of such technologies. We present our case studies with the hope that a narrative of others' efforts to achieve better student learning will be beneficial to those considering a similar pursuit.
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