Stepping Outside the Textbook
Reading and writing ideas for natural science courses
Philosophical statement:
Textbooks no longer exist. What we have today are glorified outlines already bold faced, underlined, highlighted, and ballooned so that the students need not think but only memorize the predetermined order. Why do I still use today's "textbooks"? Because if the students were given a "real" textbook, or worse, expected to create their own textbook by going to the library or internet (that would be real synthesis), they would flee the course the first day. Below I list a few meager efforts to compensate for the lack of opportunity to synthesize.
Reading:
In my Environment and Ecology course I use Hawaii as a microcosm of the planet. I have students read articles I put on reserve in the library that highlight environmental topics in Hawaii. This compensates for the North-American-centric view of most environmental textbooks. Class discussions then relate the Hawaiian articles to the more global aspects of issues that are covered in the textbook. Two problems occur. First, most students cannot extract the main points of the articles, much less the evidence that is presented in the articles to support those main points. Second, students are unable to make the connections between what is stated in the articles and what is stated in the textbook. This may be due to the students' focus on details (easy to memorize) and not the main issues (requires synthesis). Class discussion is used to try to teach these skills of synthesis.
Reading and Writing:
In Environment and Ecology, I also have students find articles and Internet sites to critique. Students are free to choose their own articles, with the only requirement being that the article/web site address a topic already covered in the course. A 600-word minimum critique is required with a maximum of 100 words of summary and the rest critique. This allows students to explore topics of their own interest relevant to the course and introduces new views and examples to the class discussion. The biggest difficulty with these assignments is that students universally do not know what a critique is. Their first efforts are mostly all summary (with lengthy quotes) or half summary and half commentary about what they "feel" about the topic. I provide written instructions on what a critique is and what can go into one at the start of the semester. There is, also, an example critique in the library on reserve, but it still takes several low scores and lots of instructor feedback before students begin to respond with something resembling a critique.
Library research:
Any project that forces students into the library for research counts as "Outside the Textbook" providing they are guided away from encyclopedias and textbooks in the library. Virtually all students know how to use an encyclopedia, but few can find information in the primary literature and put it together in a coherent form. That is our challenge.
Lab exercises:
In the sciences we are fortunate to have the laboratory and field as environments to explore in ways that escape the textbook. Hands on practical exposure to the material beats a book any day, unless it is pouring rain outside.
Frank Stanton
BIOLOGY 124 Article and Website Critiques Assignments
Article Critiques papers may come from any periodical published during the past 6 months and must relate to an environmental issue or topic already covered in the course. The analysis should include a very short summary of the article (100 words or less) and a longer detailed discussion of its relevance to environmental science as discussed in this course. A photocopy of the article with the complete citation (periodical, issue #, date, & page #) must be included. No originals of the articles will be acceptable. The analysis must be typed, double spaced, 600 words and each is due on the date listed in the course outline.
Website Critiques papers will be based on your evaluation of a particular website and must relate to an environmental issue or topic already covered in the course. The analysis should include a short summary of the website content (100 words or less) and a longer detailed discussion of its relevance to environmental science as discussed in this course. A photocopy of the web pages that were critiqued and a complete citation of the website (including the URL (http://) address) must be included. Each analysis must be typed, double spaced, 600 words and is due on the date listed in the course outline.
Definition : Critique -- The act of considering the merits and demerits of and judging accordingly. To evaluate or analyze with knowledge and propriety.
This is not intended to be a commentary or an editorial. I do not care how you "feel" about the topic or issue. I want your honest objective analysis of the piece. Your critique should help me, the reader, decide whether or not the article/website is worth reading without saying "I think you should read this because......". Persuade me with your analysis not your "feelings".
Below are some items that could be included in a critique for BIOL 124:
1. Does the article/website and the textbook define terms the same way? Give specific examples, if different.
2. How is the treatment of the subject matter different or the same as given in the textbook? Give specific examples.
Are there any factual differences between the article/website and the textbook?
Does the article/website give a fair treatment of the subject matter? How or how not?
3. Describe any bias in the article/website. What viewpoint does the article/website have?
( Optimistic, Pessimistic, Neutral, Social justice, Eco-justice, Anthropomorphic, etc.)
Give specific examples of what you mean.
4. Does the article/website point out a problem? How well is the problem described? How serious is the problem? Does it provide a solution? Is the solution feasible based on the course information?
5. Given what you know about the subject matter, what is lacking in the article/website?
6. Does the topic or issue discussed in the article/website relate to Hawaii? If so, how (be specific)?
Please be clear, concise, and complete in your writing.