Beyond the Classroom
Learning about Nature in Nature: A Multi-Year Study of the Painted Turtle, Chrysemys Picta
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Antonios Pappantoniou
A multi-year study of a population of Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta commenced in 2010. This study has a two-fold purpose: introduce a group of mostly urban community college students to biological fieldwork and, gather data that is useful for the management of this turtle species. Turtles are trapped using hoop nets. Each turtle is measured, weighed, sexed, checked for external parasites and marked with a unique identifying letter code before being returned to its pond. Students develop animal handling skills; data collecting skills and skills necessary analyze the data. At the end of each collecting season, students create a poster as the culmination to their fieldwork. Students have access to previous years data sets so that the project and their presentations are cumulative and longitudinal. Students refine their math, writing and presentation skills as they develop and finally present their poster. As part of this study we have gathered data on parasites, changes in population structure over time, size and weight distributions, body condition and sex ratios. Many of the students have gone on to university studies in biology.
Learning beyond the Classroom: Optimize Learning through Service Learning
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Veronika Ospina Kammerer, Margaret Hunter
The purpose of our paper is to share and discuss the importance of Problem Based Learning (PBL), Critical Thinking (CT), and Service Learning (SL). Research shows that PBL, CT, and SL creates a balance of flexibility, quality and cultural sensitivity for the student at higher education. The student in an online and on the ground environment must become decisive, resourceful, investigative, and a self-directed and independent learner. Textbooks and lectures are often barriers to learning for many students. Critical thinking is the benchmark in determining the success of teaching techniques in a course. The Table of Contents structures student learning according to research. Furthermore, optimizing higher education for the professional student and practicing cultural sensitivity can be accomplished through Service Learning “SERVE trips” where students serve and work with other cultures such as Native Americans. SERVE trips (e.g., for a Gerontology and Diversity course) are very effective in teaching cultural diversity in any settings. Internship/Apprenticeship experience in Haiti such as the building of an Earth ship, and the importance of connecting with grass-roots community projects and learning from the community will be presented and discussed. Program Objectives: Adult, Community, and Professional Learning Attendees will gain strategies and tips for Problem Based Learning, Critical Thinking and Service Learning at higher education Attendees will demonstrate the ability to optimize Service Learning in higher education Attendees will be given examples of Internship/Apprenticeship in Haiti Attendees will be given examples of “SERVE trips” in the USA
