Have you found that your students need more support to succeed in their college biology courses? Are you curious about how modern technology and high-quality content and help you implement research-backed teaching and learning strategies?
Join us as we dive into the research behind evidence-based teaching practices that improve learning outcomes and support student equity. You will collaborate with like-minded colleagues across institutions while building a course module in the Codon Learning platform.
Biology education research shows that high-structure courses lead to strong performance gains. This is true for all students, but disproportionately improves learning outcomes for marginalized students. Our platform helps instructors add structure to their courses to keep students engaged, accountable, and focused on proven learning practices.
Workshop goals:
Identify ways that transparent and measurable lesson-level learning objectives can be used effectively by your students.
Connect different parts of the Codon Learning platform with the evidence-based practices they support, such as high-structure course design and metacognition.
Design a high-structure module in Codon Learning that you can share with students and colleagues.
This event is free to attend. You’re welcome to join as an individual or as a team of instructors. To fully participate in the do-it-yourself (DIY) components of the workshop, please bring a computer. Register today to secure your spot:
FACILITATORS
Prof. Paul Le is Senior Instructor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. He teaches courses in ecology and organismal diversity. He also coordinates the first semester general biology labs and has a hand in curriculum development and Teaching Assistant professional development. His current research focuses on science education, particularly in student science identity development and the implementation of course-based undergraduate research experiences. He develops courses to be highly structured using evidence-based teaching and learning practices.
Prof. Warren Sconiers is Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. He researches how to increase student engagement and learning in large classroom settings, focusing on peer-peer collaboration, self-efficacy, bridging biology teaching and research experiences, and growing instructor approachability. He is collaborating with the University of Colorado Boulder’s Center for Teaching in Learning and faculty in the department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology to understand student perspectives in large classes, and to foster greater engagement using the pedagogical literature as well as student feedback. Finally, he aims to increase student investment in their learning through course community building using class time and online platforms.
Dr. Ashley Rowland (Codon Learning) earned a PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder and studied as a postdoc at the University of California Berkeley. In 2017, she began conducting biology education research with Lisa Corwin at the University of Colorado Boulder to better understand factors affecting students’ participation in STEM. As a first-generation college student from a low-income household, she is passionate about making education more inclusive and equitable. She came to Codon Learning to create courseware that will catalyze the widespread adoption of the evidence-based teaching practices known to benefit learners of all backgrounds.
Prof. Kevin Thirouin is Assistant Professor of Biology at Red Rocks Community College. He has a passion for research-informed undergraduate education. Kevin has focused on modern ways to reach students where they are. He is currently on a faculty team working to identify appropriate uses of artificial intelligence tools in higher-ed and continues to look for new technology innovations to support student success. His research experience and passion for education informs his commitment to inspiring students at the start of their academic journeys. He began using Codon Learning in Fall 2022 and actively adopts new features to further enhance student learning.
Prof. Kelly Worden is Professor of Biology and the Science Department Chair at Red Rocks Community College (RRCC). After graduate work in field ecology, Kelly moved to the world of science education, teaching at UCLA and Regis University before finding her home at RRCC where she has taught general biology, microbiology, and field biology for over 15 years. An early adopter of Codon Learning in her courses, Kelly values the opportunity for high-structure course design, building metacognitive skills, and formative assessments that the platform provides.
Curious about Codon?
Check out some of our most popular courses:
Introducing the Life Sciences by Scott Freeman (University of Washington)
Genetics by Jenny Knight and Christy Fillman (both at the University of Colorado Boulder)
Anatomy and Physiology by Justin Shaffer (Colorado School of Mines)
Have questions about the workshop?
We have answers! Get in touch with us at info@codonlearning.com.