About
The Biology Scholars Education Research Hybrid Course is the flagship course of the Biology Scholars Program and has ten years of experience training Scholars in education research. This hybrid course seeks biologists who have been trained in effective teaching strategies for biology education and are curious about student learning. Competitive applicants are individuals who are asking questions about the effectiveness of their teaching approaches.
The course is comprised of key training components including online assignments, webinar trainings, a three-day face-to-face workshop, specialized peer mentoring, and post-workshop follow-up.
The overall goals of the Education Research Course are to:
• Conduct evidence-based research on issues associated with student learning in biology
• Identify the role of collaborators from the social, psychological, and statistical sciences, education, and anthropology
• Make research results public through presentations and publications
• Create a community of practitioners that inquire about teaching and learning
Format
Once accepted, Education Research Scholars immediately begin working on online pre-assignments and readings intended to prepare them for their work during the face-to-face Discipline-Based Education Research Workshop.
The Workshop is a three-day training session held in the summer just before the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE; located at the same hotel). The face-to-face workshop has its own unique set of goals:
• Develop measurable learning outcomes grounded in research on how people learn
• Develop formative and summative assessments that align with course learning outcomes
• Develop teaching methods or approaches that align with learning goals and assessments
• Modify or implement pedagogies to enhance student learning
• Integrate learning goals, assessment strategies and pedagogies that maximize student learning
• Foster networks to sustain improvements in teaching and learning
After the workshop Assessment Scholars will receive online mentoring and work on post-workshop assignments designed to support their classroom assessment projects.
Requirements for Participation
Upon acceptance into the program, Scholars will be required to:
• Complete all assignments relevant to the Biology Scholar experience
• Participate in a multi-day workshop at their own expense
• Present their work within 18 months at a national conference or through a national publication
• Participate in an online community of Biology Scholars for at least 5 years after graduation
• Establish and regularly update their record in the online Biology Scholars Directory
• Share their work with colleagues on campus
• Share their work with colleagues regionally and nationally through presentations and/or publications
• Participate in five years of tracking their professional development by ASM evaluators
Eligibility
Applying to the Scholars program requires thoughtful consideration of one's current teaching practices and the ability to express future goals. Since each hybrid course serves a different audience of faculty who may be at various points in their scholarly journey to improve student learning, applicants should carefully review the goals of the course to which they are applying. Candidates should apply to the course that best suits their professional needs.
The BSP Application Review Committee may contact applicants to clarify the information provided and/or make recommendations that the applicant attend another course based the strengths of their application. For specific inquiries about eligibility or any other general information questions, please contact biologyscholars@asmusa.org.
Registration Fees
Once accepted into the program, prospective Scholars will be required to pay the registration fee to confirm their participation. Applicants who are not members of the American Society for Microbiology are encouraged to join in order to receive a discount on the Institute registration fee.
ASM member registration fee: $549.00
Nonmember registration fee: $599.00
Workshop Date and Location
July 19 - 21, 2016 - North Bethesda Marriott, North Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Budgeting for the Institute
Scholars are expected to participate in a 5-month online course and attend the face-to-face workshop of their cohort and should budget accordingly. Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from their disciplinary departments, teaching and learning centers, professional societies, and other agencies.
Travel Costs
Participants must budget and arrange their own airfare, hotel reservations, and any other transportation to attend the July workshop. Participants planning to attend the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE) immediately following the workshop will receive a discount on their ASMCUE registration fee.
Contact Us
Questions about the application process should be directed to Claudia Ratti at (202) 942-9322 or biologyscholars@asmusa.org.