Scientific Reasoning through Decision-Based Learning

Dr. Pete ConnTeacher Workshops

Presented by Ken Plummer, PhD & Richard Swan, PhD
Tuesday, June 7, 2022 ◉ 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Scientific reasoning requires conceptual, procedural, and conditional knowledge. Decision-Based Learning (DBL) is a guided, inquiry-based teaching method in which students learn concepts and procedures as they are relevant to the conditions in the problem¬ or situation. Students engage in a decision-making process through the problem space. In this workshop, you will learn how to create a DBL unit including an expert decision model (EDM), just-enough, just-in-time instruction, DBL problems and assignments. In addition, you will learn how to lead a DBL active-learning session. You will see examples from biology, chemistry, geology, math, physical science, and statistics.

► You will have free access to DBL software where you will be guided through a process to create your own decision model a small problem bank and brief instruction at each decision point.

► You will leave this workshop with the ability to better explain your scientific reasoning to students; to create DBL learning units; and to lead students through a live DBL session.

► Laptop or similar device needed.

Target Audience: All High School Science Teachers

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Presenters

Ken Plummer, PhD, is a Teaching & Learning Consultant at Brigham Young University. He has published numerous articles on assessment, course design, and DBL. He has been invited by universities in Peru, Japan, and China to conduct DBL workshops for instructors and administrators. He teaches courses in statistics, assessment, and student development.
Richard Swan, PhD, currently serves as an Associate Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning at Brigham Young University. He has worked in the field of educational development and instructional design for over 25 years. He has been a member of the design/development team for several published instructional technology products including the award-winning Virtual ChemLab Series.