A successful course is one that trains students to think critically and gives them opportunities to apply concepts to real world scenarios. For students to understand ecological theory, they must connect abstract concepts with processes that occur in natural ecosystems. To encourage such synthesis, I place a strong emphasis on experiential, interactive learning. Class discussions, small group activities, and labs are the foundation of my courses, with lectures and readings designed to support these active learning experiences. Many of my courses include a field component, allowing students to learn on the land and link concepts to reality. My curricula and semester plan are, however, working documents that are constantly adapted to incorporate new ideas and eliminate unsuccessful activities. I strive to train students to think critically and conceptually by: 1) incorporating multiple activities into lectures, 2) engaging students in experiential learning and the scientific process, and 3) integrating science communication into course activities.
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