Course Description
Students will learn about peer-instruction, scientific teaching strategies, explore cultivation of inclusive and supportive learning environments, and apply these strategies directly by facilitating learning in Physiology and Pharmacology courses as peer-learning assistants. Students will further their academic and professional skills, contributing to their future endeavors in the biomedical sciences.
Athena Title
Peer-Learning Asst in Physiol
Non-Traditional Format
Course includes 75 minutes/week of instruction, 1 hour/week meeting with instructor-partner, 3 hours/week facilitating VPHY courses, and 1 hour/week preparing for facilitation in the courses they teach (reviewing content, practicing teaching techniques).
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students will be able to collaborate with instructors to (1) facilitate active learning strategies in the classroom or lab, (2) encourage student engagement and reflection, and (3) provide feedback to course instructors that further promote engaging and inclusive learning environments.
- By the end of this course, students will have learned and implemented evidence-based teaching and learning strategies.
- By the end of this course, students will have learned and implemented strategies to support diversity, equity, and inclusion within and beyond the classroom.
- By the end of this course, students will have explored current research and interventions to address effective learning.
- By the end of this course, students will have reinforced content knowledge and will have grown as leaders, mentors, and colleagues, preparing them for their role as a peer-learning assistant and in their future careers.
Topical Outline
- Introduction to peer-learning
- Introduction to how learning works
- Active learning
- Factors affecting classroom climate
- Building community and sense of belonging in science
- Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Building effective instructor-partner relationships
- Peer mentorship
- Formative assessment techniques
- Providing effective feedback
- Impact of feedback on learning
- Current research related to learning in science disciplines
- Strategies to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in science
- Preconceptions and their influence on learners
- Understanding metacognition and its role in learning
- Exploring and enhancing student motivation and self-efficacy
- Discussion of emerging professional identity
