Frontiers in Physiology: Promoting Teacher Reflection and Interaction Online

The Frontiers in Physiology Program integrates a biomedical summer research experience with a year-long, online professional development program. Participants develop skills in creating a student-centered learning environment that integrates the APS Six Star Science principles:

• Student-centered instruction is at the heart of exemplary science education.
• Valuing diversity among students is a defining characteristic of excellence in science education.
• Integration of technology should enhance learning.
• Authentic assessment must focus on both content and process skills.
• Utilizing accurate and timely content information is central to scientific study.
• Reflecting on teaching and learning is essential to maintaining excellence.

The online component is interactive, promoting discussion and collaboration among program participants and their teacher-mentors as well as promoting personal reflection by the individual teacher. The program has specific, measurable learning objectives assessed through pre/post tests, assignments, discussions, and teacher-developed products. After completing this program, teachers are able to:

• Integrate student-centered inquiry into lessons and teaching.
• Address equity and learning styles among diverse students.
• Incorporate technology and Internet-based resources to enhance learning.
• Create authentic assessments that focus on content and process skills.
• Enhance classroom labs with a better understanding of the scientific research process.
• Identify and utilize accurate and timely content.
• Productively reflect on teaching and learning.
• Transform traditional cookbook labs into engaging, effective Six Star Science lessons aligned to their state standards.
• Access and utilize toolkits of strategies and resources for enhancing their teaching.

These objectives are addressed through 7 online units:

1. Student-centered learning
2. Science for all students
3. Effective use of technology
4. Understanding the basic and clinical research processes, “Bench-to-Bedside”
5. Transforming cookbook lessons to Six Star Science lessons
6. Field test of Six Star Science lessons
7. Creating a personal action plan for developing a Six Star Science classroom

Methods to promote teacher engagement, reflection and discussion will be presented as well as an overview of evaluation methods and results.