[ECOLOG-L] Tenure track Animal Physiologist - Siena College
Tenure Track Animal Physiologist, Siena College The Siena College Biology Department is accepting applications for an Assistant Professor, tenure-track position, beginning fall 2018 – Animal Physiologist. Candidate must be broadly trained in biology and have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Post-doctoral research and/or teaching experience strongly preferred. The teaching load is 9 contact-hours per semester. Teaching duties will include an upper-division comparative animal physiology course with lecture and laboratory sections. In addition, all biology faculty assist with introductory courses such as General Biology I, General Biology II, and/or Writing and Research Skills for Biologists. The successful candidate will be committed to teaching undergraduates and to developing a research program that involves undergraduates. A research lab and initial startup funds will be provided. Requirements: Candidate must be broadly trained in biology and have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Post-doctoral research and/or teaching experience strongly preferred. A background screening will be required. Siena College is located near Albany in the Capital District of upstate New York, the state's fourth largest metro area. Situated near the Adirondack Mountains in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, the Capital District offers ample outdoor and cultural activities and is only a few hours by car from New York City, Boston, and Montreal. The Biology Department consists of 14 full-time faculty members and over 300 majors. Additional information about our department and facilities can be found at www.siena.edu/biology/. Further questions about the position can be directed to Dr. James Angstadt at angst...@siena.edu. To apply, submit a pdf document file that includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching experience and interests, a description of a prospective research program, and three letters of recommendation (submitted separately). Applications deadline is October 18, 2017. Siena College is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty. We actively encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others from under-represented groups who may make a positive contribution to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Siena College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Electronic submission through the following link is required: http://siena.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=89137
[ECOLOG-L] Visiting Asst Prof, Comparative Anatomy
Siena College has a one-semester full-time visiting position available in Spring 2018. The ad says that a PhD is required, but ABD would be fine. https://siena.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=85890 About Siena College: Siena College is a learning community advancing the ideals of a liberal arts education, rooted in its identity as a Franciscan and Catholic college. Located in Loudonville, N.Y., two miles north of the state capital, the 176-acre beautiful, suburban campus is home to 3,000 undergraduates. Siena offers over 1,200 program combinations from 32 majors and 80-plus minor and certificate programs. Siena College: Providing the education of a lifetime for more than 75 years. Job Description: Visiting Assistant Professor, spring semester 2018 - Full time position to teach Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates (Biol 255: one lecture and two labs), and one section of general biology II lecture or lab (Biol 120). Total teaching load is 12 contact hours. Topics covered in comparative anatomy include the taxonomy and morphology of vertebrates with an emphasis on evolutionary processes resulting in the diversity of vertebrate morphology and function. General biology lecture and labs are focused on the diversity of living organisms with an emphasis on morphology, physiology, phylogeny, and ecology. General biology laboratory exercises are already developed. Requirements: A Ph.D. in the biological sciences, expertise with comparative anatomy and vertebrate biology, and relevant teaching experience are required. A background screening will be required. Additional Information: Siena College is a four-year liberal arts college with approximately 3000 students. The Biology Department consists of 15 full-time faculty members and over 300 majors. Additional information about our department and facilities may be found at www.siena.edu/biology/. Further questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Chris Harbison, charbi...@siena.edu Siena College is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty. We actively encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others from under-represented groups who may make a positive contribution to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Siena College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application Instructions: Submit all application materials electronically through Interview Exchange. Include a cover letter addressing qualifications to teach general biology and comparative anatomy of the vertebrates, curriculum vitae, and the names and e-mail addresses of at least two references. Review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until a successful candidate is selected.
[ECOLOG-L] Assistant Professor of Biology - Tenure Track - Siena College
Assistant Professor, tenure-track position, starting fall 2017. Microbiologist. Candidate must be broadly trained in biology and have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Post doctoral research and/or teaching experience strongly preferred. Successful candidate will be committed to teaching undergraduates and to developing a research program that involves undergraduates. The teaching load is 9 contact hours per semester. Teaching duties include an upper division microbiology course with laboratory and a sophomore level cell biology course. A research lab and initial startup funds will be provided. Preference will be given to candidates with research expertise in a field related to the biology of microorganisms. Requirements Candidate must be broadly trained in biology and have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Post doctoral research and/or teaching experience strongly preferred. How to Apply Siena College is a four-year liberal arts college with approximately 3000 students. We are located just two miles north of Albany in the Capital District of upstate New York, the state’s third largest metro area. Situated near the Adirondack Mountains in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, the Capital District offers ample outdoor and cultural activities and is only a few hours by car from New York City, Boston, or Montreal. The Biology Department consists of 17 full-time faculty members and over 300 majors. Additional information about this position, our department, course descriptions, and facilities can be found at www.siena.edu/biology/. Further questions about the position can be directed to Dr. James Angstadt, angst...@siena.edu. To apply, submit a pdf document file that includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching experience and interests, a description of a prospective research program, and three letters of recommendation (submitted separately). Applications deadline is September 23, 2016. Electronic submission through the following link is required: biol-search-r1...@siena.edu Siena College is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty. We actively encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others who may make a positive contribution to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Siena College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Siena College surveys all job applicants in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s affirmative action requirements. Therefore, we request that in addition to your application, you complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form located at www.siena.edu/eeo. In order to complete the form, you will need the posting number for this position which is R1241. Any information you choose to provide on the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form will be treated as personal and confidential and will be kept separate from your application for employment. Your cooperation is key to maintaining an effective equal opportunity program at Siena College and is greatly appreciated. Position Number: R - 1241 https://www.siena.edu/about/employment-at-siena/assistant-pr ofessor-of-biology-tenure-track _ Sarah K Berke Assistant Professor of Biology Siena College Loudonville NY 12211
[ECOLOG-L] Tenure track position - vertebrate biology
We are seeking highly qualified candidates to join our research-active faculty. Siena is a small liberal arts college that places high value on undergraduate research. It's a great place to teach, and a nice part of the country! Tenure Track Position in Biology Assistant Professor, tenure-track position, starting fall 2015 -- Vertebrate field biologist. Candidate must be broadly trained in biology, and have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Post-doctoral research or teaching experience strongly preferred. Successful candidate will be committed to teaching undergraduates and to developing a research program that involves undergraduates. A research lab in our modern facility and initial startup funds will be provided. Teaching duties include upper division general ecology and vertebrate biology courses with laboratories, for majors. In addition, all biology faculty assist with introductory level courses for biology majors. The teaching load is 9 contact hours per semester. Candidates with research expertise in any area of field biology will be considered. Siena College is a four-year liberal arts college with approximately 3000 students. The Biology Department consists of 14 full-time faculty members and over 300 majors. Additional information about this position, our department, course descriptions, and facilities can be found at www.siena.edu/biology/. Further questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Kenneth Helm, h...@siena.edu. To apply, submit a pdf document file that includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching experience and interests, a statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation (submitted separately). Electronic submission through Interfolio is required; please submit materials to https://secure.interfolio.com/apply/25548 no later than September 26, 2014. Only complete applications will be considered. For questions or further information, please contact Eileen Martino, Biology Department Administrator, School of Science at emart...@siena.edu Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Siena College is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty. We actively encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others who may make a positive contribution to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Siena College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Siena College surveys all job applicants in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s affirmative action requirements. Therefore, we request that in addition to your application, you complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form provided on the Interfolio site. Any information you choose to provide on the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form will be treated as personal and confidential and will be kept separate from your application for employment. Your cooperation is important to maintain an effective equal opportunity program at Siena College and is greatly appreciated. _ Sarah K Berke Assistant Professor of Biology Siena College Loudonville NY 12211
[ECOLOG-L] Tenure track position, vertebrate field biologist
Tenure Track Position in Biology Assistant Professor, tenure-track position, starting fall 2015 -- Vertebrate field biologist. Candidate must be broadly trained in biology, and have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Post-doctoral research or teaching experience strongly preferred. Successful candidate will be committed to teaching undergraduates and to developing a research program that involves undergraduates. A research lab in our modern facility and initial startup funds will be provided. Teaching duties include upper division general ecology and vertebrate biology courses with laboratories, for majors. In addition, all biology faculty assist with introductory level courses for biology majors. The teaching load is 9 contact hours per semester. Candidates with research expertise in any area of field biology will be considered. Siena College is a four-year liberal arts college with approximately 3000 students. The Biology Department consists of 14 full-time faculty members and over 300 majors. Additional information about this position, our department, course descriptions, and facilities can be found at www.siena.edu/biology/. Further questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Kenneth Helm, h...@siena.edu. To apply, submit a pdf document file that includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching experience and interests, a statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation (submitted separately). Electronic submission through Interfolio is required; please submit materials to https://secure.interfolio.com/apply/25548 no later than September 26, 2014. Only complete applications will be considered. For questions or further information, please contact Eileen Martino, Biology Department Administrator, School of Science at emart...@siena.edu Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Siena College is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty. We actively encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others who may make a positive contribution to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Siena College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Siena College surveys all job applicants in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s affirmative action requirements. Therefore, we request that in addition to your application, you complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form provided on the Interfolio site. Any information you choose to provide on the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form will be treated as personal and confidential and will be kept separate from your application for employment. Your cooperation is important to maintain an effective equal opportunity program at Siena College and is greatly appreciated. _ Sarah K Berke Assistant Professor of Biology Siena College Loudonville NY 12211
[ECOLOG-L] 1 year visiting position in Ecology -- Siena College
Siena College - Full-time visiting (one year) faculty position in Biology beginning fall 2014. Teaching duties will include Ecology (lecture and laboratory) and General Biology laboratory. A Ph.D. in Field Biology, earned or in progress, is strongly preferred. Preference will be given to candidates with experience teaching both lecture and laboratory. The ecology class is a semester-long study of the interrelations of organisms with each other and the environment, and includes laboratories that emphasize methodology and field trips to various local habitats. General Biology taught by a team of faculty and there are ample resources for both courses including syllabi, handouts, and field equipment. Salary and benefits are competitive. The wage package includes health insurance benefits. Review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. Send CV and cover letter, along with three letters of recommendation (may be sent separately) to: Eileen Martino, Biology Department, Siena College, 515 New Loudon Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211, or email emart...@siena.edu . Siena College is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty. We actively encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others who may make a positive contribution to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Siena College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Siena College surveys all job applicants in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s affirmative action requirements. Therefore, we request that in addition to your application, you complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form located at www.siena.edu/eeo. In order to complete the form, you will need the posting number for this position which is R1009. Any information you choose to provide on the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form will be treated as personal and confidential and will be kept separate from your application for employment. Your cooperation is key to maintaining an effective equal opportunity program at Siena College and is greatly appreciated. _ Sarah K Berke Assistant Professor of Biology Siena College Loudonville NY 12211
[ECOLOG-L] Tenure Track Position - Vertebrate Field Biologist
Dear Eco-Loggers, Please see our job ad below. We would welcome applications from anyone whose research involves vertebrates and who can teach Vertebrate Biology and Ecology courses. Tenure Track Position in Biology Assistant Professor, tenure-track position, starting fall 2014 -- Vertebrate field biologist. Candidate must be broadly trained in biology, and have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Post-doctoral research or teaching experience strongly preferred. Successful candidate will be committed to teaching undergraduates and to developing a research program that involves undergraduates. A research lab in our modern facility and initial startup funds will be provided. Teaching duties include upper division general ecology and vertebrate biology courses with laboratories, for majors. In addition, all biology faculty assist with introductory level courses for biology majors. The teaching load is 9 contact hours per semester. Candidates with research expertise in any area of field biology will be considered. Siena College is a four-year liberal arts college with approximately 3000 students. The Biology Department consists of 14 full-time faculty members and over 300 majors. Additional information about this position, our department, course descriptions, and facilities can be found at www.siena.edu/biology/. Further questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Kenneth Helm, h...@siena.edu. To apply, submit a pdf document file that includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching experience and interests, a statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation (submitted separately). Electronic submission through Interfolio is required; please submit materials to apply.interfolio.com/23969 no later than January 6, 2014. Only complete applications will be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning January 6, 2014. For questions or further information, please contact Eileen Martino, Biology Department Administrator, School of Science at emart...@siena.edu Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Siena College is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty. We actively encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others who may make a positive contribution to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Siena College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all interested candidates. As an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V, Siena College surveys all job applicants in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s affirmative action requirements. Therefore, we request that in addition to your application, you complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form provided on the Interfolio site. Any information you choose to provide on the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form will be treated as personal and confidential and will be kept separate from your application for employment. Your cooperation is important to maintain an effective equal opportunity program at Siena College and is greatly appreciated. _ Sarah K Berke Assistant Professor of Biology Siena College Loudonville NY 12211
[ECOLOG-L] Tenure Track Position-- Vertebrate Field Biologist
Tenure Track Position in Biology Assistant Professor, tenure-track position, starting fall 2014 -- Vertebrate field biologist. Candidate must be broadly trained in biology, and have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Post-doctoral research or teaching experience strongly preferred. Successful candidate will be committed to teaching undergraduates and to developing a research program that involves undergraduates. A research lab in our modern facility and initial startup funds will be provided. Teaching duties include upper division general ecology and vertebrate biology courses with laboratories, for majors. In addition, all biology faculty assist with introductory level courses for biology majors. The teaching load is 9 contact hours per semester. Candidates with research expertise in any area of field biology will be considered. Siena College is a four-year liberal arts college with approximately 3000 students. The Biology Department consists of 14 full-time faculty members and over 300 majors. Additional information about this position, our department, course descriptions, and facilities can be found at www.siena.edu/biology/. Further questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Kenneth Helm, h...@siena.edu. To apply, submit a pdf document file that includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching experience and interests, a statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation (submitted separately). Electronic submission through Interfolio is required; please submit materials to apply.interfolio.com/23969 no later than January 6, 2014. Only complete applications will be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning January 6, 2014. For questions or further information, please contact Eileen Martino, Biology Department Administrator, School of Science at emart...@siena.edu Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Siena College is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty. We actively encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others who may make a positive contribution to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Siena College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all interested candidates. As an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V, Siena College surveys all job applicants in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s affirmative action requirements. Therefore, we request that in addition to your application, you complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form provided on the Interfolio site. Any information you choose to provide on the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Form will be treated as personal and confidential and will be kept separate from your application for employment. Your cooperation is important to maintain an effective equal opportunity program at Siena College and is greatly appreciated. _ Sarah K Berke Assistant Professor of Biology Siena College Loudonville NY 12211
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Movies to teach population ecology ???
Hi, The National Geographic series Strange Days on Planet Earth has some good segments--in particular the episode on trophic cascades would be good for population biology. They specifically talk about a dam project in South America that flooded a hilly rainforest, leaving behind isolated islands that were formerly hilltops. Most of the predators swam away to the mainland, but lots of other animals took refuge on the islands, creating extremely dense populations. The absence of predators allowed herbivores to run rampant, defoliating entire islands. They also talk about the trophic cascade of wolf-elk-riparian vegetation in Yellowstone. I believe there's also a PBS or National Geographic series on human population biology, though I cannot recall the title just now...I think if you search Google Video you can watch clips of these things. hth, Sarah _ Sarah K Berke Postdoctoral Scholar Department of the Geophysical Sciences University of Chicago 5734 S. Ellis Ave Chicago, IL 60637 On Wed, Jun 2, 2010 at 11:00 PM, ECOLOG-L automatic digest system lists...@listserv.umd.edu wrote: There are 5 messages totalling 340 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Aquatic Technician - NEON - one year assignment - Boulder, CO 2. Movies to teach population ecology ??? 3. Call for faculty to teach in new science general education initiative at Bard College (NY) 4. ACE - Golden Gate National Recreation Area Trail Crew Internship 5. EcoTone: Biodiversity is a delicate recipe -- Date:Wed, 2 Jun 2010 10:42:04 -0400 From:=?windows-1252?Q?Laura_Reynolds?= care...@neoninc.org Subject: Aquatic Technician - NEON - one year assignment - Boulder, CO Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.) is a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. Currently under design is the NEON project - an observatory comprising more than 60 environmental and biological monitoring locations distributed throughout twenty domains across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska Puerto Rico. The observatory network will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales over multiple decades. The Aquatic Team will collect physical, chemical, and biological data on streams and small lakes across twenty domains in the United States, Hawaii, Alaska the Caribbean. The Team will define measurements, train personnel, and perform QA/QC in order to produce high quality data products for the research, education, and decision making community. Term of Position This position is as a term (one year), full-time position on the NEON Aquatic science team. Location: Boulder, CO Position Summary: The Aquatic Technician will assist the Aquatic Team with gathering existing data and information on streams and ponds/lakes across the United States. This includes water chemistry; plant, insect, and fish species lists; aerial photographs; maps; and other historical information. This information is critical for the Team to prepare the sites for construction. The Technician will work independently searching for existing literature and data, and as part of the Team to develop data management tools. The Technician will also have the opportunity to gain experience in GIS, water chemistry analyses, and mapping of aquatic ecosystems. The Aquatic Technician is expected to produce reports of NEON site information and is encouraged to collaborate with the Staff to investigate other publications. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Independently seek published data and information from libraries, local NGOs, researchers, municipalities, Federal and State agencies • Seek unpublished data from local researchers and NGOs • Co-create data management system for historical site data: working in collaboration with Aquatic scientists and the NEON Computing team • Coordinate and compile disparate data and information for ease of analysis and retrieval • Work with NEON GIS to digitize and organize historical maps, images, and aerial photos of sites • Participate in the larger NEON science community Education: • Bachelor’s degree in aquatic ecology or related field. Required Experience: • Experience with university library research, including Web of Science • Ability to independently gather information from federal and state agencies’ online data portals • Ability to telephone interview researchers and scientists • Demonstrated ability to write technical documents Preferred Experience: • Ability to create and interpret stream hydrographs • Knowledge of freshwater water quality parameters • Knowledge of GIS preferred Skills and Abilities: •
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Grad students: what are they worth, and does their work space effect their productivity? Input gratefully accepted
Hi Alisha, You could probably collect some useful data in an afternoon of chatting with faculty and students in your department--administrators care about numbers of publications, grant dollars, and teaching undergraduates so it might be helpful to know: --How many / what proportion of the department's recent publications were first-authored by students --How many / what proportion of the department's recent publications were co-authored by students --How many faculty use their training of graduate students in their broader impact statements for grants (I would guess all of them) --How much grad student tuition is being paid to the university from grant dollars or from students directly --What proportion of grad student salaries and benefits are paid by grant dollars versus university dollars --How many students have received grants that contribute to university overhead, if any --How many contact hours each graduate student spends teaching undergraduates --How many grad students are responsible for training undergraduates in their labs Have they told you what they want to do with the space you're in now? If moving out is inevitable, is there an option other than the basement? When I was in grad school some of us had offices, but some of us just had a desk in the lab, it worked out fine. If the basement is the only option, could they put up some partitions or cubicles to cut down on the noise, or wall off a room for socializing/meetings? At the very least, mold and poor ventilation are safety issues, and the university must remedy those problems before moving any employees into that space. If they are balking, talk to whoever does your lab inspections on campus. Finally, you'll have better luck with the administration if you have the full-throated support of the faculty, particularly the department chair. The faculty should be particularly concerned about recruiting new students--the best students have many options, they will not accept an offer from a school that hides them in the basement with a bunch of unhappy colleagues. Hope that helps--good luck, and let us know how things turn out. For what it's worth, your administrator is wrong--you *are* important to your university, whether she admits it or not. Cheers, Sarah
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Suggestions of books on scientific writing?
I was wondering if any of you would have some suggestion on books or texts providing tips on how to improve scientific writing. I have read George Gopen’s book (The sense of structure, writing from the reader's perspective; 2004, Pearson Longman editors) and recommend it, but I would like to know if there are any other good references out there. My favorite is Clear and Simple As the Truth by Thomas and Turner. It's not about science writing per se, but they offer excellent advice for writing simply about complicated ideas. I also like: A Short Guide to Writing About Biology by Jan Pechenik Style: Towards Clarity and Grace by Joseph Williams The Craft of Scientific Writing by Michael Alley The Craft of Editing by Michael Alley Writing with Power by Peter Elbow Hope that helps! --Sarah
Re: [ECOLOG-L] decline in education, comment on active learning
Hi, I want to briefly respond to David Lawrence's comment from several days ago, about evaluation scores declining when he switched to active learning. This comment probably hit home for anyone who has tried active learning: I watched my evaluation scores decline when I switched to active learning. ...It was also unreasonable for me to expect them to ask questions relevant to the material we discussed in class. I had students complain they didn't learn anything from me For anyone who has ever been in this boat, you are not alone--this is a common phenomenon when introducing active learning methods to a student body that is accustomed to traditional lecture-based methods. Based on my own experiences, and those of various colleagues, I would guess that most instructors got similar comments when they first switched over from lecturing. I am fairly new to active learning myself, but I've talked with colleagues who have been doing it for years, and everyone says that it really does get better (particularly if many faculty in the department all start using it). I think comments like I didn't learn anything stem from problems with metacognition. How do you know when you've learned something? Memorizing 30 vocabulary words is a concrete achievement, you can point and say There, I learned these words. But interpreting data, or designing an experiment, or predicting the outcome of a perturbation to a system are all rather amorphous--there's no one thing to point to and say I've learned this. That can throw students for a loop. Furthermore, the level of energy and preparation required to participate in a learner-centered classroom can push students out of their comfort zones, particularly if they are accustomed to the ease of showing up and taking notes through a lecture. I am not trying to dismiss your student's comments, I'm just pointing out that some negative comments might have more to do with feeling uncomfortable in a new situation than with learning science per se. Happily, none of these issues are insurmountable. The trick is to help students be aware of their own progress, and to bring them on board with the goals of a learner-centered classroom. That is easier said than done, and it might take several years of trying before you land on the best way to accomplish that for your particular student body (but then, most new classes take several years before you're happy with them, right?). Most importantly, none of these issues mean that your students were actually not learning. You know what your students accomplished based on their exams, papers, and class participation. You probably know that they actually learned a lot, far more than they may have realized at the time. If you are convinced that active learning is better for students (and there are good data to support that), then keep on truckin'. And pat yourself on the back--changing the way you teach is a challenge, and your willingness to try says more about you as an instructor than any given crop of evaluations. Finally, if you have any colleagues who are also trying active learning, get together regularly and compare notes. It will help a lot. Best wishes, Sarah _ Sarah K Berke Postdoctoral Researcher Department of the Geophysical Sciences University of Chicago 5734 S. Ellis Ave Chicago, IL 60637
