SUBJECT: Using e-mail for classes
DATE: 1/96
Two of us are experimenting with email in our non-majors biology course
(we
each carry approximately 200 students) . Last semester, we started
small...we trained the students and used it primarily as a "contact
the
instructor" medium. We knew that this would appeal to a limited number
of
students, but felt that we needed to get the feel for the system before
we
raised the stakes and did anything "for credit."
For those of you have have used email -- we are looking for suggestions
for
discussion type questions which will intrigue students with little or no
background in biology. Our sequence in the course is typical small to large
format (cells, genetics, human systems, ecology) spread over two semesters.
We're looking for suggestions for the cells/genetics portion right now.
Suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Debbie
From: dmlangsa@unccvm.uncc.edu (Dr. Deborah M. Langsam)
Hi,
I teach a non-majors introductory biology class and I found agreat way to
get the students using email was to give extra credit questions that they
had to look up the answers (often they could get this information via a
Web page) and then email the answer to me. I would then print out the
answers and grade them and hand them back. Each extra credit question
was worth up to five points. I asked them basic biology questions about
topics that we did not cover in class such as gene therapy, bird
migration, global warming, etc. As the semester progressed and more and
more students wanted the extra credit I got more and more students using
email. Before I began the questions we had two learning sessions
covering how to use email, etc. Good luck.
Sincerely,
Shawn Nordell
******************************************************************************
Shawn Elizabeth Nordell, Ph.D.
Research Associate-Lecturer
Department of Biology Phone: (818) 407-7866
California State University Northridge FAX: (818) 885-2034
18111 Nordhoff Street e-mail: SNORDELL@HUEY.CSUN.EDU
Northridge, CA 91330-8303
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Deborah Langsam asked about experiences and suggestions to be used with
email in a non-major biology course. Let me briefly share my
experiences this past fall semester with my genetics class of 61
students. For the first time ever, we had our information systems office
set up a local listserve; i.e., a local computer discussion group specifically
for the genetics class. The students were required to participate three
times in the discussion group, i.e., make three significant contributions
for 3% of their final grade (and I decided what was "significant").
Almost all students completed their 3% credit, and the response to the
plan was very positive.
In regards to topics, the field was wide open to any topic that was
in any way related to genetics. The topics that were started by the
students and produced the most heated and longest discussion were
the two favorites by some aspects of society: abortion and evolution.
BUT, there were many other topics in contemporary genetics, such as
breast cancer genes, that students read about, reported and discussed.
Overall the semester discussion went very well, not only in topics
discussed, but in students experiencing sending email, thinking about
the topics, researching before responding, and becoming more familiar
with computers.
Jim Freed, Dept. of Zoology,
Ohio Wesleyan University.