Vanderbilt Center for Teaching Podcast

In this episode, we feature a panel discussion with Kathy Friedman, assistant professor in the Biological Sciences Department and Ann Kindfield, senior lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Peabody College. During this panel discussion, Kathy Friedman talks about student misconceptions she has encountered when teaching biological sciences and what she does to address them. Ann Kindfield follows up by sharing with the group her research around inscriptional practices in science and science education.


Episode 18 - Dealing with Student Misconceptions

[MP3, 41 min 01 sec]

Relevant Links:

• Strength in numbers: Peabody researchers investigate preservice training and induction of math teachers
• Kathy Friedman’s Home Page

Please take a minute or two to leave a comment here and share your thoughts about student misconceptions. Vanderbilt instructors are also welcome to call the Center for Teaching at 615-322-7290 to arrange a meeting with a CFT teaching consultant. We’re glad to help you reflect on and explore the various choices you make as a teacher and to connect you with resources you’ll find useful as you design, implement, and assess learning experiences for your students.

In this episode, we feature an interview with Ellen Fanning, professor of biological sciences. In the interview, Ellen describes her methods of helping undergraduate biology students learn to read scientific literature, develop scientific reasoning skills, and gain an interest in science that lasts beyond their coursework. Ellen uses a journal club format that she has adapted from the one typically used with graduate students and post-docs to help them explore current literature in the biological sciences.

Episode 15 - Ellen Fanning on Undergraduate Journal Clubs

[MP3, 22 min 11 sec]

Relevant Links:

• Ellen Fanning’s lab home page
• Community of Scholarshome page
• CFT online resources on motivating students

Please take a minute or two to leave a comment here and share your thoughts about Undergraduate Journal Clubs. Vanderbilt instructors are also welcome to call the Center for Teaching at 615-322-7290 to arrange a meeting with a CFT teaching consultant. We’re glad to help you reflect on and explore the various choices you make as a teacher and to connect you with resources you’ll find useful as you design, implement, and assess learning experiences for your students.