Teaching Evolution to Students with Compromised Backgrounds & Lack of Confidence About Evolution - Is it Possible?

Alexandria Schauer - Minnesota

V:50 I:4 Cases/Abstracts Honorable Mention

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Teaching Evolution to Students with Compromised Backgrounds & Lack of Confidence About Evolution - Is it Possible?

Abstract:

Students regard evolutionary theory differently than science in general. Students’ reported confidence in their ability to understand science in general (e.g., posing scientific questions, interpreting tables and graphs, and understanding the content of their biology course) significantly outweighed their confidence in understanding evolution. We also show that those students with little incoming confidence in their understanding of evolution demonstrated more confidence and the most improved performance by the end of the semester. Collectively, our data indicate that regardless of prior experiences with evolution education, and in spite of myriad social challenges to teaching evolution, students can learn evolution. 

NAVMEC (round 3)

By: Stephanie Silberstang

Cornell University

The North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium (NAVMEC) was started by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) in order to keep veterinarians up to speed with the changing needs of society through discussion of education models, accreditation and licensing (http://www.aavmc.org/navmec.htm). This consortium includes over 200 groups and organizations interested in changing, supporting and improving veterinary education that will send a representative to the 3 national meetings in 2010 to discuss how veterinary medicine can evolve with society.

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Another Look at NAVMEC

By: Dalis Collins

University of Georgia, Class of 2013

It seems that if something has an acroymn, then it must be important. NAVMEC is no exception. It stands North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium, and this organization could drastically change not only our educational experience but the course the entire profession of veterinary medicine is taking. While you may not have heard of it, your administrators certainly have and more than likely someone from your school is participating in it. Here at UGA, Dr. Carmichael, our Dean of Academics, is our representative. Even SAVMA is represented by the two members of the SAVMA executive board. Composed of over 200 individuals from all aspects of the profession, the NAVMEC’s goal is to take a comprehensive look at veterinary curriculum try to determine how to structure education to best meet the changing needs of society. This may involve changes in everything from accredidation standards to tracking to required courses.

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Tracking in Vet School (another viewpoint)

By: Stephanie Silberstang

Cornell University

Tracking vs. non-tracking in veterinary school was an important part of my decision to apply to the schools that I did. I ended up choosing a school that did not include tracking because I was unsure of my specific career goals and path. I have worked with a large animal veterinarian, bovine embryo transfer veterinarian, small animal veterinarian and in the Reptile House at the Bronx Zoo.

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North American Veterinary Medical Educational Consortium

The North American Veterinary Medical Educational Consortium (NAVMEC) was created to develop a non-proscriptive roadmap for future education that will prepare graduates in the next 20 years to meet the changing and ever-expanding needs of our society.  We will not simply focus on clinical abilities, but on the knowledge and skills that are broader and relevant to all entry level veterinary graduates regardless of their career path.  In addition, the Consortium is different from prior initiatives (i.e., Foresight, Brakke, Pew, etc) since we are including the testing/accreditation/licensing bodies in the discussion; there is recognition that if our future graduate is created by different education models, we need to make sure that graduate can pass licensing exams. 

Garrett Stewart (Kansas State ’11) and Aaron Gibbons (Washington State '11) will be attending the first meeting of NAVMEC on February 11th – 13th. This first meeting will address 3 main questions. 

What will society need from the veterinary profession over the next 20 years?

What skills & competencies will veterinarians need to meet society’s needs?

What skills will be required for specific disciplines in veterinary medicine?

 If you have questions, suggestions or feedback relating NAVMEC and its purpose of developing a roadmap for future Veterinary education, please send your comments to aarongibbons@vetmed.wsu.edu or gstewart@vet.k-state.edu

They will make sure the student ideas and questions are presented at the meeting.