Having nonmajor general biology students teach each other in small groups helped improve student learning when compared to students in traditional lecture-based courses. This form of collaborative learning helped students with the lowest grades the most. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

The authors present results from an experiment that tested the effect of seat location on student performance and attitudes in an undergraduate biology class. The seat assignments were randomly assigned on the first day of class. The authors did not find that students sitting in the front did any better than students sitting in the back. (Contains…

Though difficult to implement in large courses, undergraduate science writing and peer reviews are valuable learning experiences for students and valid mechanisms for student evaluation. This study describes improved writing and reviewing skills of students in introductory biology lecture classes that incorporate a web-based instructional tool,…

Discusses the use of the lecture format as a teaching method in college classes and presents 10 research-based ideas. Outlines four main components of an effective lecture using concrete examples from actual college science lectures. (Author/YDS)

The author and colleagues have designed an Exploration Center to supplement lecture-oriented teaching in large introductory physics courses. At the center, students perform hands-on homework problems derived from lecture demonstrations. The style of exploration problems is conceptual and open ended. Methods are discussed for integrating…

Describes experiences teaching biology for nonscience majors in Spring, 1967 by using taped-lecture and taped-documentary approaches. Indicates that, although pessimistic conclusions were arrived at, the documentary was superior to the taped blackboard lecture. (CC)

In this article, the author discusses how iPods are being used in a variety of teacher-centered and student-centered ways. Since today's students are characterized as social, highly competent multitaskers, who expect immediate results and feedback and seek stimulation and interaction, iPod and podcasting are seen as tools for teaching such…

Tips on lesson planning for college teachers are offered. A sample lesson plan cover sheet and sample lesson plan are included. (JN)

Describes a strategy designed to alleviate two major problems of the lecture system in chemistry. The strategy involves presenting "station breaks" of historical and practical information during lectures to reduce boredom and the ignorance of the history and commercial importance of chemistry. (JN)

Cites evidence that indicates if a lecturer pauses at least three times during a lecture for two minutes and has students compare notes, student retention of the lecture material will be increased. Explains another form of pausing called wait-time employed in discussion situations. (GS)

Highlights some ways that instructors of large lecture classes can effectively deal with such issues as inappropriate talking; tardiness; leaving early; sleeping, eating, or drinking during class; listening to music; or simply being discourteous. (SAH)

Two geoscience course sections were provided with lecture content in different formats--one with static text that contained no graphics, the other with a link to a virtual lecture. Follow-up quizzes showed no difference in learning between the two sections, yet attitudes and academic performance differed with gender. (Contains 2 figures and 1…

Increased student involvement using a feedback lecture format demonstrated that lectures can be more active and assignments can be tailor-made for students. Guided learning activities (managed by a feedback lecture study guide) are used prior to, during, and after lectures. (Author/JN)

Students often complain that lectures requiring simultaneous writing and listening is a difficult task. An alternative method is provided to teachers to facilitate note taking by students. (ZWH)

Describes a project known as the interactive lecture notebook in which students purchase an ordered copy of class notes in order to encourage better notetaking, save time and effort in lecture presentations, and involve students more actively in notetaking. Contains 16 references. (DDR)