How has this assignment and this class helped you to progress toward the SLCC Learning Outcomes? While Biology may not have required much debate, we were able to work with a partner in class to complete the above assignment. Assignments such as these allowed me to better learn certain topics which I felt less confident with. While one description may work for some, the human brain does not process the same as every other brain does. When a fellow student explains an idea, I find it is often simple to understand as other students are also learning these subjects for the first time. Therefore, we describe things in a basic and simplistic way as though we do not assume the other person already has background in the subject.
This Biology class has helped me with the following SLCC Learning Objectives. 1. Communicate Effectively. 2. Think critically and creatively. 3. Develop the knowledge and skills to work with others in a professional and constructive manner. 4. Develop computer and information literacy. 5. Develop the attitudes and skills for lifelong wellness. As mentioned before, assignments like the one above helped me communicate effectively with fellow students and ask questions when needed. I find that Biology can be both simple and difficult to understand. The main reason for the difficulty is due to rushing through material. The amount of information and topics the semester requires students to absorb is done so by memorization rather than complete understanding. Repetition is the key to helping others to learn these concepts. Unfortunately, the class does not have the time to be able to review information. We listen to a lecture, read at home, take an exam, find out what we got wrong, and then move on. We never go back and make sure students understand what was wrong and why. This is where repetition is key. I should be clear. This is not simply an issue with Biology 1610. This is a broad education issue. Students are expected to be responsible for their own confusion and while I don't necessarily disagree with this, if classes were given the time to help engage students more and review, I believe fewer would require outside help. For example, I would say Biology has helped me further my computer and information literacy skills, as I often used outside, online resources such as videos to help me understand aspects of certain theories and processes. The videos were extremely helpful, but I took an in person class to learn the information in person and hear it explained. I did not take Biology online, but felt I often needed outside online help to comprehend everything fully. I almost feel like I am wasting my time, especially when I work a full time job and attend school. My time is little and valuable, and finding balance in a normal sleep schedule, exercise, proper cooking, work, school and quality time with loved ones is constantly disrupted. I have been lucky enough to already have a deep interest in lifelong wellness, but Biology furthered my genuine interest in health as Biology explains how the human body is built and works in its most basic form. From atoms to molecules, macromolecules to cells, cells to tissues, tissues to organs, organs to organ systems, to complete living creatures. I truly enjoyed learning more about macromolecules even though I struggled with parts of it. And who knew Cholesterol was steroid! I don't know why, but that blew my mind. I love science, not always because its easy or because its simple to understand. But because science is comprised of both fact, what we already know, and a plethora of mystery. We often contradict our knowledge over time. I mean, Pluto was a planet when I was growing up. The more I learn about health and nutrition, the more I come to realize we don't thoroughly understand the workings of the human body. Claims constantly arise with what works and what we thought worked-- often later retracted. While I am thankful for the in person class and absolutely loved my professor, my love for science can be temporarily hindered when moving through high volumes of information. It is because I truly want to understand and ask millions of questions the moment ideas are first explained to me. But this is not plausible when getting through material is most important. I wish we would have had time to review in class, and work on review worksheets in class for the final. I guess what I am saying is I'd like to learn one on one and have the professor's every waking second to myself. Probable? Not so much. But a dream is a dream :) Thank you Melissa Hardy for always answering my questions and clearly showing your love of biology. Learning from someone who loves what they teach is truly a blessing.
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AuthorAnne is 25 years old and originally from the Bay Area, California, but grew up in the small charming town of Horseheads, just south of the Finger Lakes Wine Country in Upstate New York. Archives
April 2019
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