Pedagogical Approach

Overview of the Pedagogical Approach: to the Bio-Physical (Tim’s) Modules

Smith students are expected to become acquainted with certain bodies of knowledge – but they are also expected to learn the intellectual skills necessary for using and extending that knowledge. This course supports the Colleges academic priorities by explicitly ensuring that these critical abilities are included and specifically linked to evaluation components.

» Write clearly (papers)
» Speak articulately (presentations & class discussions)
» Reading closely (text and journal articles)
» Evaluating and presenting evidence accurately (papers)
» Apply scientific reasoning (papers)
» Work both independently and collaboratively (peer reviews)
» Understand multi- and interdisciplinary approaches (the essence of this course).

In addition, Tim places a lot of emphasis on the student’s abilities to use and express themselves with modern, academic, electronic web based tools such as serach engines, YouTube, common software package literacy, etc.  These are becoming increasingly important and their use in this course reflects that importance.

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Since lectures are not an effecive way of learning, where possible active learning methods will be used (not always possible).  Some students used to outdated pedagogical methods may feel more comfortable with the tanglible, certainty-oriented nature of the lecture method.  If you feel this way it is recommended that you take either an Education/Pedagogy course or do some unofficial reseach into adult learning – it is very important that you leave Smith understanding how learning takes place.