RCN-UBE Project #1062049
Science Case Network
How an RCN-UBE on Case Studies and
PBL Can Help You
Pat Marsteller and Ethel Stanley
Channeling Margaret Watrerman
Networking Conference
August 7-8, 2012
Introductions
Name, Institution, Prior
PBL or case experience
 Something you learned in
the last six months and
how you learned it
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The Vision
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Our project supports an active community
of science educators, learners,
researchers, developers, and professional
organizations interested in furthering the
accessibility, development, and use of
cases and problem based learning (PBL) in
science education.
Goals
Facilitate communication among
researchers, practitioners and developers
from a wide range of institutional types,
levels, and geographic locations,
 Encourage online and face to face
collaboration among researchers and
practitioners;
 Encourage the development of proposals
and unfunded projects advancing case
study and PBL;
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SCN Goals
Engage current and future faculty in the
activities of the network;
 Organize and simplify the dissemination
of resources, findings, and opportunities;
 Generate tools for assessing and
researching the effectiveness of case
study and PBL;
 Collaborate with several scientific
professional organizations in coordinating
network conferences;
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Vision & Change:
Recommendations Apply to IBP
Integrate Core Concepts and Competencies
throughout the Curriculum
 Focus on Student-Centered Learning
 Promote a Campus-wide Commitment to
Change
 Engage the Biology Community in the
Implementation of Change
Cases and PBL can help!
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Integrate Core Concepts and Competencies
throughout the Curriculum
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Introduce science process skills early and reinforce in all courses
Learning goals focus on core concepts & assessments align with
learning goals
Real world examples and relevance
Develop lifelong science learning competencies
Fewer concepts in greater depth
Stimulate curiosity about the natural world
Scientists demonstrate passion for the discipline and delight in
sharing passion with students
Focus on Student Centered Learning
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Engage students as active participants
Use multiple modes of instruction in addition to traditional lecture
Active, outcome oriented, Inquiry driven & relevant courses
Student learning in a cooperative context
Introduce research experiences for all students
Integrate multiple forms of assessment
Ongoing, frequent, multiple forms of feedback
View assessment like scientific research collect and apply data to
improve learning
Promote Campus Wide Commitment
to Change
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Mobilize all stakeholders- students to administrators
Develop a community of scholars dedicated to advancing the sciences
and the science of teaching (Science Case Net, an RCN-UBE project)
Advocate for increased status, recognition and reward for innovation
in teaching & student success
Require graduate students on training grants to train in teaching the
disciple
Provide teaching support and training for all faculty especially
postdocs and early career faculty
Engage the Biology Community in
Implementation
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Promote more concept oriented undergraduate courses & help
students integrate facts into larger concepts
Ensure that all courses have authentic opportunities to
experience the processes, nature and limits of science
Provide all biology faculty with access to teaching and learning
research and encourage application to course development
Create an active learning environment for all students
Encourage all to move beyond the depth vs b\eadth debate:
LESS IS REALLY MORE!
Explore and Join Science Case Net
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at http://sciencecasenet.org
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Sign up for or create groups
Find case studies and PBL problems
Find collaborators
Learn about teaching with cases
Thank You!