Introductory biology courses are widely criticized for overemphasizing details and rote memorization of facts. Data to support such claims, however, are surprisingly scarce. We sought to determine whether this claim was evidence-based. To do so we quantified the cognitive level of learning targeted by faculty in introductory-level biology courses.…

In modal training studies, the comparative groups differ in the use of a particular cognitive process; training to overcome the deficiency is provided for the deficient group only, and their performance is then compared to the standard set by the untrained group. Improvements are necessary in the design of training studies, as are a…

The program evaluated in this paper has a three-pronged design which includes two holistic strategies, Integrated Skill Development (ISD) and Thinking Across the Curriculum (TAC), in addition to the Supplemental Curriculum (SC). A pretest-posttest control group design with matching was employed. The program was conducted at the Cleveland School…