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Biological Dialogues: How to Teach Your Students to Learn Fluency in Biology
S. Randolph May, David L. Cook, Marilyn K. May
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 75 No. 7, September 2013; (pp. 486-493) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2013.75.7.8
S. RANDOLPH MAY was Professor of Biology and Genetics and the Richard and Phyllis Leet Distinguished Chair of Biological Science, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., SE, Gainesville, GA 30501, when this work was performed. He is currently Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597; e-mail: randy.may@ung.edu.
DAVID L. COOK is Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Science, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., SE, Gainesville, GA 30501; e-mail: dcook@brenau.edu.
MARILYN K. MAY is Assistant Professor, School of Education, Georgia Gwinnett College, 1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; e-mail: mmay@ggc.edu.
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Abstract

Biology courses have thousands of words to learn in order to intelligently discuss the subject and take tests over the material. Biological fluency is an important goal for students, and practical methods based on constructivist pedagogies can be employed to promote it. We present a method in which pairs of students write dialogues from instructor-assigned word lists that the student pairs then present before the class. This method helps students understand the contextual meaning of the biological terms, achieving true fluency rather than just memorizing definitions.

Key Words:
  • Vocabulary
  • biological fluency
  • pedagogy
  • dialogues
  • presentations
  • © 2013 by National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved. Request permission to photocopy or reproduce article content at the University of California Press’s Rights and Permissions Web site at http://www.ucpressjournals.com/reprintinfo.asp.
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Vol. 75 No. 7, September 2013

The American Biology Teacher: 75 (7)
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Biological Dialogues: How to Teach Your Students to Learn Fluency in Biology
S. Randolph May, David L. Cook, Marilyn K. May
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 75 No. 7, September 2013; (pp. 486-493) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2013.75.7.8
S. RANDOLPH MAY was Professor of Biology and Genetics and the Richard and Phyllis Leet Distinguished Chair of Biological Science, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., SE, Gainesville, GA 30501, when this work was performed. He is currently Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597; e-mail: randy.may@ung.edu.
DAVID L. COOK is Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Science, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., SE, Gainesville, GA 30501; e-mail: dcook@brenau.edu.
MARILYN K. MAY is Assistant Professor, School of Education, Georgia Gwinnett College, 1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; e-mail: mmay@ggc.edu.

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Biological Dialogues: How to Teach Your Students to Learn Fluency in Biology
S. Randolph May, David L. Cook, Marilyn K. May
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 75 No. 7, September 2013; (pp. 486-493) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2013.75.7.8
S. RANDOLPH MAY was Professor of Biology and Genetics and the Richard and Phyllis Leet Distinguished Chair of Biological Science, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., SE, Gainesville, GA 30501, when this work was performed. He is currently Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597; e-mail: randy.may@ung.edu.
DAVID L. COOK is Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Science, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., SE, Gainesville, GA 30501; e-mail: dcook@brenau.edu.
MARILYN K. MAY is Assistant Professor, School of Education, Georgia Gwinnett College, 1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; e-mail: mmay@ggc.edu.
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  • Top
  • Article
    • Abstract
    • The Challenge of Biological Fluency
    • Rationale
    • Objective
    • Materials & Methods
    • Engagement Strategies
    • Assessment
    • Appendix
    • Appendix
    • Appendix
    • Appendix
    • References
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  • Info & Metrics
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