1. Reforming BIOL 1108 Nancy L. Pencoe

2. Reforms to be tested in selected BIOL 1108 sections - Spring 2006: PLTL (peer led team learning) workshops Structured in-class group activities/ discussions

3. Goal of PLTL: To introduce students to key biological concepts starting with very concrete, hands-on problems and progressing to more abstract ones.

4. How PLTL works: Students (9-10) meet with a peer leader outside of class for 2 hours/week. Students work as a team to solve problems designed to foster critical thinking and problem solving skills. Peer leaders are trained to promote discussion rather than provide answers.

5. Goal of in-class group activities/ discussions: To provide a learning experience that targets diverse learning styles.

6. Implementation of reforms: Two sections of BIOL 1108 will be divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (120-130 students) Traditional teaching Group 2 (60-70 students) Traditional teaching + PLTL + in-class group activities/discussions

7. Evaluation of reforms will be based on comparisons of: pre-test vs. post-test improvement academic success (completion of course with A, B, or C)