title: Using the web to encourage student-generated questions in large-format introductory biology classes.
abstract: Students rarely ask questions related to course content in large-format introductory classes. The use of a Web-based forum devoted to student-generated questions was explored in a second-semester introductory biology course. Approximately 80% of the enrolled students asked at least one question about course content during each of three semesters during which this approach was implemented. About 95% of the students who posted questions reported reading the instructor's response to their questions. Although doing so did not contribute to their grade in the course, approximately 75% of the students reported reading questions posted by other students in the class. Approximately 60% of the students reported that the Web-based question-asking activity contributed to their learning of biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010, USA. jtcolber@iastate.edu
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Colbert
authors.forename: Joanne K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Clough
mesh_terms: D001695:Biology / Q000193:education*; D003256:Community Participation; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005178:Faculty; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007484:Iowa; D007858:Learning; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities