Hoskinson, Anne-Marie

What is the focus of your investigation?

Collaboration, within and among disciplines, is an essential skill set for successful biological research, yet its practices – much less how to teach collaboration – are poorly understood. My research asks how scientists can teach collaboration in the classroom and in authentic research mentorship.

Basic Information re research:

-Course - name and number:   Biol 2400 Mathematical Models in Biology

-Semester(s):   Fall 2006 –Spring 2008

-Student population (i.e. Biology/Biotech, Majors, etc.): Biology majors – required quantitative core course

-Number of students:  40/semester

-Level of students:  Sophomores - seniors

Scholar Implementation Plan (Please fill in approximate dates when these activities will be completed.)

-I have discussed IRB requirements with GT. I'm now preparing the proposal for IRB approval.

-All data have been collected. Preliminary analysis of quantitative data is done.

What resources/references have you found helpful?

To be included...

What is your approach and/or what evidence will you gather?

The first paper is a descriptive account of the evolution of a collaborative teaching model over four semesters. I will include quantitative and qualitative data (pending IRB approval).

What results have emerged ?

What's most surprising to me - even though I designed the course to foster collaboration - is how robust the outcomes were. Despite variables such as having three different co-instructors over the four semesters, personal illness, and other circumstances, students were remarkably consistent in their reported satisfaction with the course and their development as collaborative scientists.