frequently asked questions

FAQ #2: How do I manage content in different science disciplines?

An example of one of the most common types of questions among SyRIS faculty designing interdisciplinary modules is "I am a physicist, not a biologist. How do I teach concepts that are not in my discipline?" There are several alternatives.

Perhaps the least likely, because of time, is to become "knowledgeable" in that field to the extent needed for instruction. There has been at least one instance where a SyRIS team member actually sat in a colleague's course to better understand the basics of that discipline.
Speaking from my own experience, it is not necessary to be "the science expert" on all science. Being a biologist, it is impossible to stay knowledgeable in all the subdisciplines of just that discipline much less in other disciplines. Importantly, students need to realize that their instructors are not the world's authorities; they are not the "sage on the stage" for all science subjects. However, the instructor's role does require being competent to instruct the module and being able to guide a student to who can help them or where they might look to find the answer.
Several of the modules designed have taken the middle ground. Suppose a module is taught in a physics class but has a biological piece that is used in the exploration. The physics instructor will have the biologist come to that portion of the lab, explain the activity, and be there to answer questions that the physics instructor might be unable to resolve.

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This project is supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation
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