One work product for this class is a10-page research paper on the topic of an ethical controversy in the field of genetics. Many of my students (mostly senior Biology majors) have not written an essay since high school, so we devote several class sessions to scaffolding the process. This year is the first time I've had to confront the reality that the learning objectives for this project do not align with use of generative AI. After struggling to decide how to pivot, I decided to put it in the hands of the students. I implemented a multi-part consensus-building process, which included prework reading, in-class discussion, anonymous forum posts, and finally synthesis of a coherent policy. My hope is that having it be student generated will make it more relevant (and thus more likely to be followed). The process itself was also a valuable learning experience for students about how to navigate uncertainty.
Lillian Zwemer, Teaching Assistant ProfessorBiology
BIOL 405, Good Genes: Human Reproduction in the Social Context
Enrollment: 35