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Cancer Biology Textbook for Non-Science Majors

Cancer Biology Textbook for Non-Science Majors. Pamela K. Hanson. The Trouble with Intro Courses. Emphasis on content Lack of connections between topics to other disciplines Irrelevance to life outside the classroom. The Class. BI 149: Cancer – Biology and Beyond

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Cancer Biology Textbook for Non-Science Majors

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  1. Cancer Biology Textbookfor Non-Science Majors Pamela K. Hanson

  2. The Trouble with Intro Courses • Emphasis on content • Lack of connections • between topics • to other disciplines • Irrelevance to life outside the classroom

  3. The Class • BI 149: Cancer – Biology and Beyond • First-Year “Foundations” Class • Interdisciplinary • Community-oriented • 16 students, mostly non-science majors

  4. The Problem • Few current resources pitched at appropriate level • I assume only a very rudimentary understanding of the natural sciences • None that address the biology, chemistry, physics, statistics and psychology of cancer • Most are content-oriented as opposed to evidenced-based

  5. The Solution • Write a new textbook that emphasizes: • The process of science • The interdisciplinary nature of science • Concept change • Four major units • The origins of cancer • Cancer diagnosis • Cancer treatment • Cancer prevention

  6. Some Concerns of Reviewers • Not completely original work • Will write it all myself • Availability for use by others • Switched to on-line textbook • Lack of faculty reviewer • Anyone interested?

  7. Another New Twist • Incorporation of learning objects • Discrete, interactive units that can be used in multiple classes and by multiple institutions • In collaboration with Mike Roy et al. at Wesleyan • Example: • Ames test animation and quiz • Interactive maps • Lifestyle vs. cancer rates • Environmental factors vs. cancer rates

  8. Where am I in the process? • Still writing…

  9. Surprises or Unanticipated Difficulties • It’s hard to keep things evidence-based • Pinpointing common student misconceptions • I can’t believe I’m going high tech!

  10. Some Useful Resources… www.lolaexchange.org http://creativecommons.org

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