Opening the Genetics Gateway with Automated Support for Student Thinking

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

Genetics is a fundamental unifying theme of biology. The Human Genome Project and advances in genetics and biotechnology are revolutionizing biology, medicine and industry. However, genetics is an intimidating challenge for college students across the full range of post- secondary institutions and the growing demand for genetics education outstrips the supply of qualified teachers. We are developing a genetics cognitive tutor to support active problem-based learning in undergraduate genetics courses and make genetics accessible to more students. Cognitive tutors are an educational technology that speeds learning and yields large achievement gains compared to conventional instruction by providing students "just-in-time" problem-solving help. Cognitive Tutor mathematics courses are currently in use by more than 125,000 students in over 700 middle and high schools. The genetics cognitive tutor is building on past successes in tutoring quantitative reasoning and using the cognitive tutoring technology in novel realms of scientific inference and experimental design. We are pilot testing and evaluating cognitive tutor lessons in six universities representing a diverse student population, and including large public universities, private research universities, a small liberal arts university and an historically black university. Pilot testing includes formative evaluations of tutor effectiveness and student learning rates. Summative evaluations of achievement outcomes are being conducted by Carnegie Mellon's Office of Technology for Education and Eberly Teaching Center. Cognitive tutor dissemination activities are focusing on summer workshops and conference workshops, and are facilitated by a project advisory board and Carnegie Mellon's Office of Innovation Transfer.