title: Evaluation of the redesign of an undergraduate cell biology course.
abstract: This article offers a case study of the evaluation of a redesigned and redeveloped laboratory-based cell biology course. The course was a compulsory element of the biology program, but the laboratory had become outdated and was inadequately equipped. With the support of a faculty-based teaching improvement project, the teaching team redesigned the course and re-equipped the laboratory, using a more learner-centered, constructivist approach. The focus of the article is on the project-supported evaluation of the redesign rather than the redesign per se. The evaluation involved aspects well beyond standard course assessments, including the gathering of self-reported data from the students concerning both the laboratory component and the technical skills associated with the course. The comparison of pre- and postdata gave valuable information to the teaching team on course design issues and skill acquisition. It is argued that the evaluation process was an effective use of the scarce resources of the teaching improvement project.
authors.affiliation: Tomlinson University Science Teaching Project, McGill University, and Faculty of Education, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario K7M5R7, Canada.
authors.forename: Laura April
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McEwen
authors.forename: Dik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Western
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D001695:Biology / Q000193:education*; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000379:methods; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013334:Students