Biology laboratory instruction must be changed from a "cookbook" approach to one that emulates activities of a scientist doing science. This project uses a student research video portfolio to improve biology laboratory instruction by encouraging exploration and investigation and by stimulating interest. With the proper environment, students have the time to analyze their work, communicate ideas and concepts, and develop cooperation with colleagues. A phase contrast microscope and video camera system are used to create a video tape record, after which a computer interfaced with video equipment is used to edit the tape and insert captions, labels, and text. The purpose is to create a minidocumentary of the biological investigation which can be used for study, assessment of the experiment, and evaluation of the student's progress in a particular course. This research video portfolio plan affects all the biology and health science majors as well as summer programs for public school students. This plan is revolutionizing the way science is taught at the college: biology laboratories are becoming a place for student self-learning and freedom to explore science.
