This proposal seeks funding for a week-long, faculty workshop, LABSHOP, for 36 participants, to develop laboratory exercises suitable for introductory, multiple-section biology courses that promote an active student involvement via a problem- solving or SAAW0K-type approach. The problem-solving instructional approach, best employed in the laboratory classroom, can provide a more self-directed, investigative, learning environment that can help solve the science education problem. LABSHOP will bring together an interdisciplinary group of participants to work in teams on selected topics. The final products of LABSHOP will be a variety of student-ready, laboratory exercises that employ a problem/solving/investigative instructional approach. To encourage a continuing dialogue among LABSH0P participants, to explore new approaches and teaching techniques, to encourage communication among biologists concerned with the quality of introductory laboratory instruction, to disseminate the LABSHOP products, and to promote innovation among an even larger, interdisciplinary group of biologists, a free, computer bulletin board, BIOLAB, will be established by this project.
