Last week we talked about some of the emerging technologies from Horizon Report. The topic that my group chose to discuss was 3D printing. The concept consists of making some type of blueprint through the use of architectural software or modeling software then make a 3D reconstruction of that model using metal, plastic, or resin.

During my bachelors I took a physical biochemistry course that utilized 3D printed models of proteins. Since protein structures are extremely diverse and they have the ability to move it is difficult to really understand concepts using 2D images in books. The models allowed us to have a tangible look at something on the molecular scale. Furthermore, the models allowed us to understand the kinetics of some complicated enzyme substrate interactions and how we could use models to engineer small molecule drugs. Unfortunately we did not have direct access to the printer that made the proteins. Furthermore, since our models were made out of resin they were somewhat brittle. Finally, these models cost several hundred dollars a piece (back in 2007).

I shared this information with my group in class. After discussing 3D printing with the group we mutually decided that it may be best suited for certain disciplines and applications. At the end of class we voted as a group which of the four emerging technologies is best suited for higher education (MOOCs, 3D Printing, Tablets, and Wearable Technology). While we all waited on the winners, I noticed chattering teeth and a stench of anticipation; people were just drooling to hear the results. It turns out there was a large disagreement between groups. In the end MOOCs scraped by with 1/2 the votes, while 3D printing got no love. I am not surprised since MOOCs/regular online courses are the future of education and impact the most disciplines.

For your entertainment here is some of my Alzheimer's disease model mouse behavioral data:

Flipping the classroom:

This concept is where students go over the lecture/material before class then spend the class period working on problems or doing activities with the guidance of the instructor.

I think that flipping the classroom is not a revolutionary idea, but rather labeling a technique that is commonly incorporated into many classrooms and making some optimization. I think that most undergraduate students wouldn't openly accept the concept that they are responsible for their own learning. Some of the most common questions that students ask are if they need to study from the book or from the lecture material. I think that if they had to do both before coming to class every meeting period the class would be met with animosity. Essentially I believe that it will enhance the experience of the students who don't need special attention while having a potential negative impact on the majority.

Facebook:

In class we discussed using Facebook as a classroom management system as opposed to software such as blackboard or ELC. There seem to be some obvious benefits to using a social media such as facebook. First, most students are already using facebook for personal reasons so presumably students would be more likely to receive class related messages. Second, it provides a more approachable atmosphere to facilitate classroom discussion. Traditional CMS platforms seem very rigid on this aspect.

The whole point of CMS software is to be like Walmart...a one stop shopping location for all classroom needs. Facebook's main downfall is the overwhelming amount of distraction clouding the few features that would be beneficial to teaching. Moreover, it is hard enough to communicate with students and faculty through the multitude of email addresses both parties have without throwing facebook into the mix. At least with e-mail and ELC you more often than not receive articulated thoughts.

Maybe I am a negative Nancy.

An out of date photo of my Fishtank: Deal with it!

Last week in EDHI 9040 we had an informative discussion about using clickers. I have never used them in my class because none of the classes I have taught are very large. I believe that while they could be used in smaller classes, there are more appropriate and successful engagement and assessment techniques that one can utilize in a small class. Next Fall I will have the chance to teach either undergraduate Cellular Biology or Biochemistry so I may try to integrate clickers there.

Unfortunately, next week we will not have a chance to see Dr. C., but our team has decided to meet anyways to work on our tech talk. Sometime following the tech talk workshop, a select group of FFP (sub-FFP) are going get together and mingle/spread the good word.

Jeremy and I met with the second faculty candidate for the Biological Sciences Educator Faculty position. This candidate was internal unlike the previous one and overall we enjoyed having the chance to speak with her. I am looking forward to the 3rd and 4th candidate in the upcoming weeks. Everyone seems to have their respective strengths so any decision at this point would be a good one.

I have also decided to give a weekly research update. An old friend Dave and I have been doing a behind the scenes collaboration using some of my Alzheimer's disease mice. Our endeavors have been very fruitful and have now created a new collaboration between my lab and his. We are scheduled to have our first group meeting with our bosses next week so Dave and I get to explain our respective data to everyone. I have some histology to finish over the next few days, which will greatly enhance the directionality in which our project moves. As it stands this new work is outside the scope of my thesis and was really something I was passionate about pursuing and which gave me a chance to be a completely independent scientist.

Wiki-Wiki-Wiki-Wiki

Please play the video while reading my blog...you know...to set the mood!

I'm getting a pretty late start on my new post. I am juggling so many obligations that my time management skills have really been tested. I will say staying busy makes time go by "faster" even though faster may be relative in a graduate students eye. 

If you are wondering about the video above it serves two purposes. 

#1: For some reason I think Dr. C likes this song.

#2: Our first tech talk involves video media (go team rumplestiltskin)

In class last week we discussed wikis and pinterest. I may be stepping over the line a bit, but I think pinterest is more of a girly social media. I am basing this on the fact that I know dozens of women, but no men who actually use it. However, I did some scouring and found an interesting pin that I wanted to share! 

I can't even explain how I came across this image, but it is golden! From an academic standpoint I can see the allure of using this social media to organize teaching ideas, etc, but in terms of application to my field and in my classrooms I am not sure I would enjoy incorporating it. However, our newest "project" in the future faculty meeting is course design of our dream course. I have decided to incorporate blogging into the class design, but still do not have all my ideas put together. 

The course is an introductory biochemistry/genetics course for non-science folk (bio-daddy-fat-sacks as they like to call it). I whole-heartedly believe that non-science major science courses are crap. Students are expected to memorize a wealth of basic biology concepts that they will never use in their lives. My course focuses on scientific problems in everyones life with the hope students will leave the class with the ability to make more informed decisions regarding these problems. Topics include: genomic medicine (the future of personalized medicine), nutrition, bio-fules, etc. I want to have students make a note when they are confronted with scientific decisions in everyday life and then blog about those experiences. 

If anyone has any ideas/comments I would love to hear them.

Sherry Fashion Forward Clouser symbolic image: Every time I hear wiki I think turntable.

My insomnia was worse than usual last night so I only got about an hour of sleep. I was skeptical that my participation would be up to par. It is surprising sometimes that we have the ability to draw energy and enthusiasm from within our depths when we have to.

When Jeremy R. (shout-out) and I arrived to class Sherry was looking radiant as always. It was nice to see that we had a diverse array of activities planed for the day. We were previously asked to fill out some information to generate our personal TPI, which we discussed in class today. I wasn't very surprised by my own results, however it was interesting that almost everyone in the class had similar perspectives despite disciplinary discrepancies.

The most memorable part of todays class was the carousel activity associated with Dr. Clouser's tech talk about blogs. I have never heard of this engagement technique and will definitely be incorporating it into my classes in the future. One of the more difficult aspects of the course is what to name our team. We need a big time name since we have big time ideas. 

Also...I can't believe the future faculty program participants were split up! YOU DOWN WITH FFP? YEAH YOU KNOW ME!

Symbolic picture of the week:

(Essential Biochemistry Pratt C., et al 2007)

Much as H2O (water) separates the amino acids of a protein, so to has Dr. Clouser separated the FFP.

The first class was a good day. I learned I am not the only one without warts, but more importantly the rumors are true...Sherry does have a great fashion sense. I look forward to interacting with everyone this semester!