iPadding the Start of the Biology Major

The Biology major switched over to requiring iPads in Fall 2013. iPads break down many past constraints. We can present material that is rich in color photographs, videos, interactive widgets, and even little games. In a lecture class, students can quickly upload images and be quizzed in real-time. Apps as well as widgets can be produced that make learning the material more visual and engaging. In addition, we are taking the opportunity to redesign so as (i) to make the information more up to date, (ii) to take full advantage of campus organisms, and (iii) to have the students learn via doing small projects. Flipped is involved in the sense that we take a great deal of class time for active learning, and a great deal of information consumption is done via video and other media between classes; iPads are something like super clickers for example allowing students to submit drawings in the middle of a class activity; most importantly, we are able to capitalize on redundantly teaching through reading, visuals, hands-on-the-organisms, and projects.