Introduction to Biochemistry

1. Introduction to Biochemistry Group Formation Prof. Hal White

2. Today’s Quotation The emphasis on individualism obscures the fact that most personal needs are met, most problems are solved, most public goals are attained by organized collective action. Marion Brady

3. Introductions (10 Minutes) Fill out the Group Information Sheet. Pass it to the next person in your group. Repeat until every member has filled in his or her information. As time permits, discuss your answers.

4. Introduction to BiochemistryImportant Roles in Groups • Recorder - Keeps track of group’s learning issues and who has responsibility for pursuing each learning issue. • Task Master - Keeps discussions on track. Diverts digressions that are not related to the course. • Skeptic - Challenges the accuracy and reliability of information. Makes sure everyone understands important concepts before going on. • Technical Advisor - Focuses on methodology. Expert on how things are done and the principles behind how things work. • Chemist- Finds out the chemical structures and properties of compounds mentioned in the articles. • Web-Scanners and Library Researchers - Roles that everyone should assume. Tracking down answers to group learning issues on the Internet and in the library.

5. Problem-Solving Ability in Groups Impossible Can’t Solve PBL Might Solve Problem Difficulty Solution obvious Trivial A B C D Group Potential Group Members Problem solving is what you do when you don’t know what to do, otherwise it is not a problem. Wheatley (1984)

6. Forming GroupsHomogeneous vs. Heterogeneous Student “Homogeneous” Groups Selected Instructor Selected This Class “Heterogeneous” Groups

7. What Aspects of Heterogeneity are Important? Skills? Major? Age? Personality Type? Gender? Ethnicity? Learning Style? Academic Record?

8. Dawn’s Eight O’Clock In your groups, discuss the following: • How would you describe the situation? • What are the issues involved? • If this were your group, how might you reasonably deal with the situation? • What are the implications of these actions? • How could the situation have been prevented or muted?

9. Introduction to BiochemistrySuggested Ground Rules for Behavior in Groups • Come on time and be prepared for every class. • Notify other group members, your tutor, and the instructor in advance (when possible) if you must miss a class. • Freely share information you gather outside of class with other group members. • Use class time wisely. • Solicit and value contributions from every group member. • Group members who disrupt the group's function by violating` the group's ground rules can be confronted by the other members of the group and suffer the following consequences: ….

10. Passions AsideTime to Get Serious • Why are you in college? • How did you choose your major? • What goals do you have for: • this semester? • this year? • your college career? • after graduation?

11. Time to Get Serious Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior C-342 High School Real World Fall Spring F S F S F S Most of You Are Here Graduation What courses will you take? Do you have a plan?

12. Time to Get Serious Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior C-342 High School Real World Fall Spring F S F S F S Where do You Go From Here? Next Winter Following Winter This Summer Next Summer Graduation Will you do undergraduate research, study abroad, find a summer job? Will you challenge yourself, or go with the flow? Then what?