Students rarely ask questions related to course content in large-format introductory classes. The use of a Web-based forum devoted to student-generated questions was explored in a second semester introductory biology course. Approximately 80% of the enrolled students asked at least one question about course content during each of three semesters during which this approach was implemented. About 95% of the students who posted questions reported reading the instructor’s response to their questions. Although doing so did not contribute to their grade in the course, approximately 75% of the students reported reading questions posted by other students in the class. Approximately 60% of the students reported that the Web-based question asking activity contributed to their learning of biology.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/james_colbert/11/
This article is published as Colbert, J.T., Olson, J.K., Clough, M.P. Using the Web to Encourage Student-generated Questions in Large-Format Introductory Biology Classes. CBE-Life Sciences Education. 6(2007); 42-48.