The Benefits of Active Learning and Group Work in University Classrooms
Active learning and group work have proven to be effective teaching strategies for promoting student engagement and learning in university classrooms. A recent study conducted on Biology curriculum at a large university confirmed the positive impact of these strategies on student performance. Extensive group work, low barrier-to-entry interventions such as in-class worksheets, and instructor interactions with students were found to be beneficial. However, the study also highlighted the adverse effects of instructors moving in groups on student learning. Online learning was discussed as an alternative, providing accessibility, flexibility, and interactivity advantages. The benefits of active learning and group work can also be applied in K-12 schools. Teachers can incorporate these strategies into their lesson plans to encourage student collaboration and promote active learning. Overall, this study emphasizes the need for instructors to adopt innovative teaching strategies and be mindful of their interactions with students to promote student engagement and learning.
Aquaculture and Sustainable Food Production: Balancing Environmental and Health Impacts
Aquaculture or fish farming has become an essential solution for providing sustainable food sources as the global population grows. While traditional aquaculture feed sources involve fishmeal and oil obtained from wild fish stocks, the industry has shifted towards using crop-based feeds such as soybeans and corn. However, this alternative can have significant adverse environmental and health impacts because of the industrial and agricultural methods used to produce these crops. The aquaculture industry must prioritize sustainable practices and choose crops with a lower environmental footprint or support alternative crop production practices. Additionally, there is a need to balance food production with biodiversity conservation using strategies such as the sharing/sparing framework, which separates areas for human use from areas for conservation. The article also highlights the effectiveness of land-sparing as a conservation strategy, which separates areas for human use, such as agriculture and urban development, from areas for nature conservation.
Advancing Koala Conservation: Understanding and Addressing Health Threats Through Vaccines and Antibiotic Treatments
Both the research on developing a vaccine for koala retrovirus and the review on C. pecorum highlight the importance of understanding the complex factors that impact the health and conservation of koalas. By developing effective vaccines and implementing targeted interventions, we can help protect koalas and ensure their survival in the wild.
How we can rethink ability with a focus on interests in a review of Quinlan and Renninger's works in 2022
This journal looks at the disconnect between what students think they want to do with their lives and what they actually pursue when they finish school. They present research on how students can use their interests in other subjects to plan a career. Topics include using coursework in the humanities and social sciences, finding internships, and networking. The journal provides suggestions for how to make the process easier for students and provides illustrations of how different students have built successful careers using these pathways.
Making STEMM More Accessible For Underrepresented Students: Wong et al; 2022
STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) is an important field of study today, yet underrepresented students are often less inclined to pursue it in higher education. This can be due to various barriers such as a lack of support or resources, a lack of awareness of the opportunities available, or a lack of motivation or self-efficacy. End of the Road? The Career Intentions of Under-Represented STEM Students in Higher Education is a review that looks into why that is and how to make STEMM more accessible and attractive to underrepresented students. The review provides insight into the intentions and motivations of underrepresented students in STEMM-related fields and offers recommendations for promoting and supporting them in higher education.