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Student Learning Outcomes and Attitudes when Biotechnology Lab Partners Are of Different Academic Levels

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Title: Student Learning Outcomes and Attitudes when Biotechnology Lab Partners Are of Different Academic Levels
Language: English
Authors: Miller, Heather B., Witherow, D. Scott, Carson, Susan
Source: CBE - Life Sciences Education. Sep 2012 11(3):323-332.
Availability: American Society for Cell Biology. 8120 Woodmont Avenue Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-2762. Tel: 301-347-9300; Fax: 301-347-9310; e-mail: ascbinfo@ascb.org; Website: http://www.ascb.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2012
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Biotechnology, College Science, Science Instruction, Science Laboratories, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Expertise, Outcomes of Education, Student Attitudes, Attitude Change, Heterogeneous Grouping, Cooperative Learning, Student Surveys, Student Evaluation, Learning Activities
Geographic Terms: North Carolina
DOI: 10.1187/cbe.11-10-0094
ISSN: 1931-7913
Abstract: The North Carolina State University Biotechnology Program offers laboratory-intensive courses to both undergraduate and graduate students. In "Manipulation and Expression of Recombinant DNA," students are separated into undergraduate and graduate sections for the laboratory, but not the lecture, component. Evidence has shown that students prefer pairing with someone of the same academic level. However, retention of main ideas in peer learning environments has been shown to be greater when partners have dissimilar abilities. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that there will be enhanced student learning when lab partners are of different academic levels. We found that learning outcomes were met by both levels of student, regardless of pairing. Average undergraduate grades on every assessment method increased when undergraduates were paired with graduate students. Many of the average graduate student grades also increased modestly when graduate students were paired with undergraduates. Attitudes toward working with partners dramatically shifted toward favoring working with students of different academic levels. This work suggests that offering dual-level courses in which different-level partnerships are created does not inhibit learning by students of different academic levels. This format is useful for institutions that wish to offer "boutique" courses in which student enrollment may be low, but specialized equipment and faculty expertise are needed. (Contains 6 figures.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 23
Entry Date: 2012
Accession Number: EJ984408
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Student Learning Outcomes and Attitudes when Biotechnology Lab Partners Are of Different Academic Levels
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22CBE+-+Life+Sciences+Education%22"><i>CBE - Life Sciences Education</i></searchLink>. Sep 2012 11(3):323-332.
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  Data: American Society for Cell Biology. 8120 Woodmont Avenue Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-2762. Tel: 301-347-9300; Fax: 301-347-9310; e-mail: ascbinfo@ascb.org; Website: http://www.ascb.org
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biotechnology%22">Biotechnology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Science%22">College Science</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Instruction%22">Science Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Laboratories%22">Science Laboratories</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+Students%22">Graduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Expertise%22">Expertise</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outcomes+of+Education%22">Outcomes of Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitude+Change%22">Attitude Change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Heterogeneous+Grouping%22">Heterogeneous Grouping</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cooperative+Learning%22">Cooperative Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Surveys%22">Student Surveys</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Evaluation%22">Student Evaluation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Activities%22">Learning Activities</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22North+Carolina%22">North Carolina</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1187/cbe.11-10-0094
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  Data: 1931-7913
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The North Carolina State University Biotechnology Program offers laboratory-intensive courses to both undergraduate and graduate students. In "Manipulation and Expression of Recombinant DNA," students are separated into undergraduate and graduate sections for the laboratory, but not the lecture, component. Evidence has shown that students prefer pairing with someone of the same academic level. However, retention of main ideas in peer learning environments has been shown to be greater when partners have dissimilar abilities. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that there will be enhanced student learning when lab partners are of different academic levels. We found that learning outcomes were met by both levels of student, regardless of pairing. Average undergraduate grades on every assessment method increased when undergraduates were paired with graduate students. Many of the average graduate student grades also increased modestly when graduate students were paired with undergraduates. Attitudes toward working with partners dramatically shifted toward favoring working with students of different academic levels. This work suggests that offering dual-level courses in which different-level partnerships are created does not inhibit learning by students of different academic levels. This format is useful for institutions that wish to offer "boutique" courses in which student enrollment may be low, but specialized equipment and faculty expertise are needed. (Contains 6 figures.)
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  Data: EJ984408
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: College Science
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      – SubjectFull: Science Instruction
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      – SubjectFull: Science Laboratories
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Expertise
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      – SubjectFull: Outcomes of Education
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Attitude Change
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      – SubjectFull: Heterogeneous Grouping
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      – SubjectFull: Cooperative Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Student Surveys
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      – SubjectFull: Student Evaluation
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Activities
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      – SubjectFull: North Carolina
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      – TitleFull: Student Learning Outcomes and Attitudes when Biotechnology Lab Partners Are of Different Academic Levels
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