Here are some tips for how to prepare for RATs using the textbook:
You should be able to define any vocabulary terms in bold and use them correctly.
For each section of the text that has a heading in bold black letters (these sections are usually ½ page to 2 pages in length), be able to write a sentence summarizing the main take-home point.
For each figure in the text, you should be able to interpret the figure and explain it in your own words.
It would be great to hear from others how to encourage these students are doing so poorly on the iRAT and are uncertain how to study. Note: we also offer a study session for two hours the night before the quiz, staffed with TAs
First the context: this is a first year course for majors and non-majors in biological function. Most of the students are either majoring in biology or intending to enter a professional program in the health sciences.
My question: How have people on this list handled the huge disappointment that happens with the first RAT of the first term in freshman courses?
This is typically students' very first university quiz as I start right after the first week of setting up the course structure with the first TBL module. This past weekend I gave students their reading assignment complete with reading guide (key objectives and keywords matched to the pages and figure numbers in the text book). Then they wrote their first RAT yesterday. I received fairly typical results I think except that the iRAT score were lower then I had hoped.It breaks my heart when I hear stories from students during the tRAT and after class that they studied 10-15 hrs and made 10-15 pages of notes over the long weekend only to receive an iRAT mark of 2/10. They had such energy at the start of the term last week. Now I think I have killed it.How do the rest of you manage this sort of disappointment and help students regain their spirit for learning (and mine for teaching!)? I suspect the issue is that many of these excellent students (and I have no doubt they achieved excellence in high school) simply were able to excel in high school without developing good study, reading, and note-taking skills. I have a couple of excellent senior students who will be coming into class tomorrow to explain how they read and take notes. I hope that helps.I would love to hear the collective wisdom of the TBLC.Thanks very much.NeilNeil Haave, PhDAssociate Professor, BiologyManaging Editor, CELTVice-President, AIBAUniversity of Alberta, Augustana FacultyRm C155, Science Wing, Classroom Building, Augustana Campus4901 - 46 Avenue, Camrose, AB, CANADA T4V 2R3"We do not learn from experience . . . we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey
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Heather
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Heather
R. L. Lerner, Ph.D., M.S.
Joseph Moore Museum Director
Assistant Professor of Biology
Earlham College
801 National Road West
Richmond IN 47374
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http://heatherlerner.com/
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