Pendarvis, Murray P.

Shiflet, Angela B.

Shiflet, George W.

English

ISU ReD: Research and eData

Presentation for the Symposium on BEER November 2020Biology for the Global Citizen, A New Non-MajorsBiology Text with Laboratories Using ComputerSimulationsAngela B. Shiflet1,*, George W. Shiflet2, Murray P. Pendarvis31Department of Computer Science, Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC 293032Department of Biology, Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC 293033Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402shifletab@wofford.eduWe discuss a new non-majors biology text (Biology for the Global Citizen, 2021, Cognella Academic Publish-ing) that offers numerous segments on applying science to life with content relatable to current events, a briefoverview of each topic, laboratory exercises using computer simulations, numerous pedagogical features, andactive learning assignments.The laboratory exercises employ the scientific method, enhance quantitative literacy through interpreta-tion of graphs and basic statistics with spreadsheets, employ data to support conclusions, emphasize criticalthinking and analysis, and include questions that can be graded automatically on Cognella’s Active Learningsite as well as open-ended questions appropriate for classroom discussion. Each laboratory contains a videointroduction. The widely used simulation software, NetLogo, is free, easy to use, and requires no program-ming experience. Guided by laboratory exercises, students consider various scenarios, make hypotheses,adjust variables to test the effect of each scenario, run simulations multiple times, generate and interpretdata and graphs, make observations, draw conclusions, apply their conclusions to decision making, and gaina deeper understanding of the science that the model simulates.The authors adapted and added models to the numerous models downloadable with NetLogo. Some oflaboratory exercises are: Membrane Formation, Blood Sugar Regulation, Food Insecurity, Spread of Disease,Tumors, DNA Protein Synthesis, X-Linked Inheritance, Lac Operon, Epigenetics, Antibiotic Resistance,Peppered Moths, Fur Patterns, Competition, Community, Carbon Cycle, Climate Change, Smog.Four schools this fall and additional schools in the spring are class testing the preliminary edition. Thefirst edition will be available for fall, 2021.

Biology for the Global Citizen, A New Non-Majors Biology Text with Laboratories Using Computer Simulations

https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=2&article=1546&context=beer&type=additional

Biology for the Global Citizen, A New Non-Majors Biology Text with Laboratories Using Computer Simulations

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ISU ReD: Research and eData