Favorite Demonstration: Experiencing the Nature of Science—An Interactive, Beginning-of-Semester Activity
Thu, Jan 17, 2013 11:09 AM
I did it!
I tried this yesterday and wanted to write a review while it was fresh in my mind. this was done in a nonmajors class of 110 students, with about a 60Female/40Male split. On the second day I asked for 4 (reluctant) volunteers. and relayed instructions exactly as described. It did take about 45 minutes including debriefing. The results were very good, but here is some advice for improvements. 1) Ask the scientists to discuss their ideas out loud, a few times in the large lecture it was tough to hear what they were discussing 2) remind the students in the "society" to not respond other than yes or no, sometimes they laughed at the scientists in such a way that it seemed hurtful. Finally 3) I recommend the instructor take notes too , as my observing students missed some key decision making, and by the end I had forgotten what they were for the debriefing. But i will use this Demonstration again in my non majors class!