Small-class teaching in genetics under a modified STREAM model

Author: Guillaume

Created: 2022-09-26 11:15pm

Edited: 2022-09-28 12:50am

Keywords: Genetics, Small-class teaching, STREAM, 5-stage model, JiTT

Description:

This learning design will be implemented in an undergraduate-level course ‘Genetics and Breeding’ (10 ECTS). The purpose of the course is to provide students with an understanding of how characteristics of animals and plants can be modified via selection, as well as giving them a basic understanding of genetics theory. This course is taught in small classes of 15-25 students.

This learning design aims at facilitating activation of concepts by students and fostering communication, among students (assessment for learning) and from students to teacher (assessment of learning). It will improve upon a current design in which learning has been centered on teachers, rather than students. The e-tivities used in this design will serve the primary goal of increasing engagement, participation, and communication among students.

This learning design will be built on the STREAM model (out-of-class learning and activities, coupled with in-class discussion), with some contributions from the five-stage and just-in-time teaching (JiTT) framework:
• Out-of-class activities will enable usage of the learning platform (Brightspace) and social interactions among students whenever possible, for example: (1) introductory survey about students’ background and interests; (2) individual assignment (e.g., reading article); (3) summary of group work. Tasks (2) and (3) may rely on discussion forums, to facilitate social and intellectual interactions among students, according to the 5-stage framework.
• Out-of-class activities will also include quizzes to inform the teacher about misunderstood concepts, according to the JiTT framework.
• In-class discussion will include some teaching, as well as surveys and break-out sessions for discussion and peer instruction among students.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Describe how inbreeding affects plants and animals
Describe genetic progress and its components
Explain the causes of genetic correlations such as common biological effects
Describe the consequences of natural and breeding selection
Describe how practical breeding work is organized in animal and plant breeding

	Resources		Tasks		Supports
	Out of class
←	Background and interests of students in the cohort	←	Fill in introductory survey ↓	←	Brightspace tutorial, email and discussion forum in Brightspace
	Online lectures (15-20 min per lecture), recommended reading	→	Watch online lectures and prepare questions for the in-class discussion ↓	←	Video interface in Panopto, recommended reading, email and discussion forum in Brightspace
←	Student feedback from quiz grades	←	Answer quizzes about lecture material ↓	←	Links to lectures and hints from quiz in Brightspace, email and discussion forum in Brightspace
←	Description of research questions and methodology, questions about further research	←	Individual assignment: post about assigned reading in a dedicated Brightspace forum ↓	←	Recommended reading, email and discussion forum in Brightspace
←	Summary of group work	←	Group work: prepare presentation on topic in animal or plant genetics ↓	←	Appointed expert (academic or industrial researcher) in each group
→	Dedicated discussion threads	→	Respond to assignments: at least one question per assignment ↓	←	Email and discussion forum in Brightspace
→	Dedicated discussion threads	→	Respond to assignments: at least one question per assignment ↓	←	Email and discussion forum in Brightspace
	In class
→	Just-in-time lecture material and discussion topics	→	Participate in surveys and break-out sessions: discussion and peer instruction ↓	←	In-class discussion, surveys in Mentimeter
→	Just-in-time lecture material and discussion topics	→	Participate in surveys and break-out sessions: discussion and peer instruction	←	In-class discussion, surveys in Mentimeter