This book offers broad, practical strategies for teaching science and engineering courses and describes how faculty can provide a learning environment that helps students comprehend the nature of science, understand science concepts, and solve problems in science courses.

The student-centered approach focuses on two main themes: reflective writing and working in collaborative groups. When faculty incorporate methods into their courses that challenge their students to critically reflect, collaborate, and problem solve, students gain a better understanding of science as a connected structure of concepts rather than as a simple tool kit of assorted practices.

Contents include:

• Reflective writing



• Writing to learn



• Constructing student knowledge



• Selected methods for using collaborative groups



• Changing students epistemologies



• Training students to solve problems



• Using technology to aid your teaching