Kansas State University
Division of Biology
The Biological Learning Environment
of the Twenty-First Century
DEDICATION
OF
THE NEW
PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY
(Biology 198)
OCTOBER 13, 1997
ACKERT HALL, ROOM 219
4:00 PM
Principles of Biology Dedication
Schedule of Events
October 13, 1997
219 Ackert Hall
4:00 PM
Dr. Brian Spooner, Director, Division of Biology
Introductory Comments and Acknowledgments
4:10 PM
Dr. James Coffman, Provost, Kansas State University
The KSU Commitment to Educational Excellence
4:20 PM
Dr. Elizabeth Unger, Vice Provost, Kansas State
University
The Goal is Learning
4:25 PM
Dr. Jon Wefald, President, Kansas State University
Dedication Remarks and Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting
4:30 PM
Dr. Mark Decker, Principles of Biology Course
Coordinator
Active Learning in Principles of Biology
5:00 PM
Reception, Refreshments Served
Ackert Hall, Room 324
A Brief History ...
1968-1996
Principles of Biology (BIOL 198) began during the same time
period in which the Division of Biology was created and Ackert
Hall was constructed. The new BIOL 198 was designed to replace
General Botany, General Zoology and General Biology courses,
the latter a general education requirement course that extended
back to the late 1940's and the Milton Eisenhower presidency at
KSU. The "new" course as designed by Professor John Zimmerman
featured the innovative audio-tutorial (A-T) format. In the A-T
format there were no lectures (faculty were used in "recitation"
meetings with small groups of students) and information transfer and lab experience were integrated into one experience. Directions for the mastery of a specific set of learning objectives were
provided by audio tape. BIOL 198's trial run with 100 students
occurred in Fairchild Hall in 1969. Starting with the opening of
Ackert Hall in 1970 the "new" Principles of Biology A-T lab with
its "state of the art" reel to reel audio tape players handled 700 to
900 students per semester. As with all "new" technology there were
some problems such as those students who covered themselves in
a blizzard of tape by hitting the pause button while the machines
were in the fast rewind mode.
The learning environment included audio instruction as
well as displays and demonstrations.
Audio-tutorial format emphasized individualized
self-paced learning.
BIOL 198 has served as the sole introductory biology course at KSU. There are no separate major and
non major introductory biology courses. From its beginning to the current day the course placed heavy emphasis on students being responsible for their own learning, i.e. putting in the necessary time to master the
weekly learning objectives, asking questions of staff in
the A-T lab and preparing for the weekly tests. Over the
decades approximately 45,000 students faced those
challenges. Many responded to the challenge and performed remarkably well while a few weren't ready for
the responsibility and fell by the wayside. Another casualty of the decades was our once modern and functional audio tape information delivery system. By the
early 1990's it was clear BIOL 198 needed to make another innovational leap.
1997
Principles of Biology has long stressed that students
should be actively engaged in their education, and this
was one of the main benefits of the audio-tutorial model
of instruction: as students are presented with new material, they can immediately apply and use that information in structured laboratory investigations. The
current trend in higher education of stressing a "mindson" as well as a "hands-on" approach has therefore been
a central component of Principles for much of its history. Such active learning is crucially important for
building fundamental conceptual understanding of material, the primary objective of introductory science
courses.
The studio learning environment includes computer based
technology, a multimedia delivery system and student groupings.
The open plan of the studio facilitates interaction between groups
of students as well as between students and faculty.
Current multimedia and computer technology has allowed this active approach to be greatly expanded and
enhanced. Students and instructors in Principles now benefit from the integration of computer-assisted instruction with course objectives that emphasize the importance of peer collaboration and interaction between
students and faculty in a studio format. Students can examine via computer simulations and demonstrations,
topics that otherwise could only be presented to them through textual descriptions or static images. Being able
to direct the evolution of a population through a computer simulation, manipulate a three-dimensional model
of a molecule on the screen, or analyze by use of a spreadsheet a set of data that they have just collected, allows
the student to literally "get their hands on" many concepts that are otherwise very difficult to present. These
capabilities, embedded within a classroom atmosphere that actively encourages exploration and interaction
(the studio), represent a major addition to Principles of Biology in particular and undergraduate education in
general. Prior to full implementation in the Fall 1997 semester, the computer enhanced version of BIOL 198
received a trial run during the preceding summer.
A studio module consists of two computer workstations and a
group of four students.
Biology 198 is and has been a course that emphasizes attaining an understanding of biological
concepts through the development and application
of critical thinking skills and investigative techniques. It must be remembered that, as with any
technology, computers in the classroom are only a
tool, albeit an incredibly flexible and valuable one.
However, by combining these tools with facilitated
interaction between students and faculty, we greatly
enhanced our ability to achieve our primary goal
of equipping students with both a firm knowledge
of the subject and the basic skills to acquire and
interpret scientific information.
The Future
The future will see continued development
and evolution of this course. Approaches and
lessons learned in Principles of Biology will be
applied throughout the Biology, Microbiology,
and Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Curricula.
In support of the changes, a proposal for major funding has been submitted by the Division of Biology to the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute. Furthermore, an addition to Ackert
Hall is the highest priority in the University’s
construction plans.
Artist’s conception of proposed addition to Ackert Hall.
Project Funding (Total)
$1,008,979
Provost Funding for Classroom Renovation and Technology
$525,000
New Project Personnel (Funds from Provost Office, College of
Arts and Sciences, Division of Biology)
$349,250
Faculty Generated Grants in Support of BIOL 198 Restructuring
$134,729
Williams, L. G., Weis, J. S., and Montelone, B. A., Restructuring of Principles
of Biology, 1994, $2,500, KSU General Education Fund.
Williams, L. G., and Roufa, D., Putting Principles of Biology on the World
Wide Web, 5/95-1/96, $3,500, KSU General Education Fund.
Montelone, B. A.., and Roufa, D., Biology SWAT Team Support, 1996, $8,500,
Biology Research and Infrastructure Enhancement Fund (BRIEF) Program.
Montelone, B. A., and Williams, L. G., Planning for Curricular and Enhancement Programs in Undergraduate Biology, 1/1/97--9/30/97, $50,000 total;
KSU subcontract portion $23,500, K*STAR National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
Montelone, B. A., and Williams, L.G., A New Approach to Introductory College Biology, 1/1/97--12/31/98, $96,729, National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education-9653165.
Acknowledgements
This project would not have been possible without the dedication, commitment, and cooperation of large
numbers of individuals in the KSU community. A partial list of people, companies, and units that merit
special recognition is provided below.
Principles of Biology Structure and
Delivery Committee
Principles of Biology Restructure/
Implementation Committee
John Briggs
Linda Davis
Beth Montelone
David Rintoul
Steve Upton
Jerry Weis
Larry Williams*--chair
John Zimmerman
John Briggs
Linda Davis
Beth Montelone*
David Rintoul
Donald Roufa
Christopher Smith
Steve Upton
Larry Williams
Division of Biology Faculty Work Groups for Principles Revision
Animal Biology
S. Keith Chapes
Harold Klaassen
Carol Pacey
Diane Post
Ann Stalheim-Smith
Steve Upton*
Fred Wilson
Biological Chemistry/Cell
Structure and
Function
Gary Conrad
Richard Consigli
James Funderburgh
J. P. Perchellet
David Rintoul*
James Urban
Energetics
Evolution
James Guikema
Alan Knapp
Yi Li
George Marchin
Ruth Welti
Larry Williams*
Ted Barkley
Linda Davis
Christopher Smith*
A. Spencer Tomb
Jerry Weis
Plant Biology
Linda Davis*
David Hartnett
Patricia Hook
A. Spencer Tomb
Peter Wong
Ecology
John Blair
John Briggs*
Walter Dodds
Loretta Johnson
Glennis Kaufman
Robert Robel
John Zimmerman
Heredity and Molecular
Biology
Susan Brown
Jack Cully
Robin Denell
Donald Kaufman
Beth Montelone*
Donald Roufa
Classroom Technology
Committee
Mel Chastain
Vicki Clegg
Ken Conrow
Helen Cooper
Fred Damkroger
Don Hogg
Ron Jones
Faye Kennedy
John Lankford
Lee McQueen
Dave Naas
Ed Rice
Beth Unger
Biology 198 Strategic
Ways of Acquiring
Technology (SWAT)
Team
AK219 Renovation and
Technology Planning
Group
Pam Baker
Mel Chastain
Mark Decker
Faye Kennedy
John Lankford
Beth Montelone*
Barb Newhouse*
Bill Pallett
Donald Roufa
Larry Williams
Rosanna Carvahlo
Mel Chastain
Helen Cooper
Abe Fattaey
James Guikema
Don Hogg
Ron Jones
Faye Kennedy
Bruce McMillan
Lee McQueen
Beth Montelone
Dave Naas
Brian Spooner
Larry Williams
Project Architect - Bruce McMillan, Architects
Project Coordination - Lee McQueen, Ed Heptig
General Construction - Cheney Construction, Inc.
Electrical Construction - H&L Electric
Mechanical Construction - Central Mechanical
Student Modules, Instructor Podium - Carroll Seating Co., Inc.
Technology Coordination - Dave Naas, Anthony Phillips, Don Hogg, Ron Jones
Dedication Planning - Becki Bohnenblust, Mark Decker, Robert LeHew, Beth Montelone, Brian Spooner,
Larry Williams
KSU Computing & Network Services
KSU Educational Communications Center
KSU Facilities
KSU Telecommunications
Dr. James Coffman, Provost, Kansas State University
Dr. Beth Unger, Vice Provost, Academic Services and Technology, Kansas State University
Dr. Peter Nicholls, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences