Meeting Abstract

P2.45  Wednesday, Jan. 5  Building a Biology Learning Community in a Campus Residence Hall WASSMER, Gary*; AMIN, Zareen; CORBIN, Clay; HANSEN, Carl; HENRY, Karl; HESS, Angela R.; HRANTIZ, John; RIER, Steven; SURMACZ, Cynthia; TILL, Margaret; WOOD, Marianna; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University; Bloomsburg University gwassmer@bloomu.edu

Retention of science majors is a critical issue facing college science education nationwide. Poor performance in introductory biology classes, and consequently, low retention is due to a number of factors. These include inadequate academic background, ineffective study habits, insufficient student-faculty interaction, and a lack of understanding of the tools and habits required to succeed in science courses. A successful approach to improve academic performance and retention is to extend learning into the residential experience. At Bloomsburg University, we have created an Academic Biology Learning Environment (ABLE) in a campus residence hall, as part of our Science and Health Sciences Living-Learning Community. ABLE’s goal is to strengthen the academic community in introductory biology courses and to enhance students’ learning and study skills, thus improving students’ classroom performance, and, ultimately, to increase the retention of biology majors. ABLE provides a multi-pronged approach that includes a resource center with peer-tutoring, office hours by biology faculty members, faculty-led review sessions, opportunities for individual and group study, invited speakers and seminars, and career information workshops. Our initial assessment data show that over 1,000 student visitors accessed ABLE in its first year. Student surveys to assess our effectiveness report that ABLE was helpful, provided useful resources, and offered a good location to study. Students and faculty overwhelmingly support the continuation of ABLE.