Using Google Drive Technology
to Enhance Quantitative Learning and
Understanding of Personal
Natural Resource Use
Boston University
2013 Instructional Innovation Conference
Peter Busher & Andy Andres
Division of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics
College of General Studies
Boston University
Innovation OUTLine
• CGS Natural Sciences – Goals and Learning
Objectives
• Introduction to Google Drive Technology
• How this Project Supports the Learning
Objectives in the Course
• Results – Big Data
• How this Technology can be Applied to all
Disciplines
The Natural Sciences at the
College of General Studies:
Goals and Learning Objectives
• Exciting pedagogical opportunity
because our students are non-majors
and this is a required course
• Learn the process of science
through active participation
• Develop critical thinking skills
• Develop each student’s sense of
becoming an active “citizen
scientist”
• Encourage participation in scientific
problems they will encounter in the
lifetimes
• Further understanding of nature and
the role humans play in the world
Major Paradigm of NS 202:
Human Ecology
• A Course Designed to teach (mostly) non-majors
about:
• Science of Ecology
• Fundamentals of Environmental Science
• Human Ecology
• Urban Ecology, specifically the ecology in and
around the Boston area
• Develop skills useful across disciplines
Google drive
Personal resource Use
• Enhance Student Learning
o Go beyond small groups or
individuals (big data v. small
data)
o Use of models to understand
ecological systems
o Use statistics and
quantitative reasoning
Towards Big Data
Summary
• Students used free Google Drive technology to
create large datasets
• Enhanced student awareness of personal
resource use
• Enhanced student awareness of average BU
student resource use
• Enhanced quantitative and analytical skills for
students who are non-majors in science
• Using technology to enhance learning that is
applicable across disciplines
Acknowledgements
The Students at the College of General Studies
Carol Donovan and Rayhme Cleary of the College
of General Studies