Instructional Design
When I begin designing unit plans and lesson plans I utilize backwards design to create lessons that will reflect the Illinois State Content Standards, Common Core State Standards, College Readiness Standards -- and next year -- the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Below you can find two pieces that highlight this approach. The first is an annotated syllabus that explains how I will be incorporating the NGSS in my instruction next year, and how I included inquiry and application cycles. The second was a problem based learning activity I incorporated in my freshman biology class during the 2012-2013 school year. In this activity students were given a story and they had to determine what factual information was important to their understanding, what the underlying problem was, research more information about MRSA, and devise a plan to prevent MRSA (and other bacteria) from becoming so resistant to antibiotics in the future. This project required my students to engage in deep thinking to apply their knowledge of natural selection to this scenario.
Below you can find two pieces that highlight this approach. The first is an annotated syllabus that explains how I will be incorporating the NGSS in my instruction next year, and how I included inquiry and application cycles. The second was a problem based learning activity I incorporated in my freshman biology class during the 2012-2013 school year. In this activity students were given a story and they had to determine what factual information was important to their understanding, what the underlying problem was, research more information about MRSA, and devise a plan to prevent MRSA (and other bacteria) from becoming so resistant to antibiotics in the future. This project required my students to engage in deep thinking to apply their knowledge of natural selection to this scenario.
Problem Based Learning
Below you can find a problem based learning assignment I developed with a few colleagues from Michigan State University.