General Biology Using Adaptive Learning and Supplemental Instruction

General Biology 1 is a content-heavy foundational course for Biological Sciences majors and is also required for students in other STEM disciplines. While the lecture section is relatively large (96 students), in light of the high school experience of incoming freshmen, the lab sections (24 students) provide an opportunity for more individualized instruction. The course redesign strategies to be implemented in Fall 2014 include: a more direct emphasis on the development of effective study skills, metacognition and reflection; incorporating adaptive learning components to online homework assignments; mini-videos recorded by the lecture instructor to help students make the connections between lecture and lab material; and supplemental instruction. For students who actively engage in the course, these strategies should improve long-term success in meeting student learning outcomes, student preparation for advanced coursework, and pass rates in the course.