
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993                   TAG: 9305110383
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

INTERDISCIPLINARY AND INTERACTIVE TEACHING CONFERENCE AT RU

A conference aimed at introducing interdisciplinary and interactive teaching methods to college science classes will be held at Radford University Thursday through Saturday.

Conference Director Joe Hagan said the conference is largely a response to several national surveys that revealed serious shortcomings in the way undergraduate science classes are taught.

Hagan, an associate professor of biology at Radford University, said students should learn about science as a problem-solving process and develop problem-solving skills.

An interdisciplinary approach is necessary to put science in social, cultural and historical perspective, Hagan said. Teaching the history of biology can shed light on how scientists go about solving problems and help students understand how culture and society influence biology.

Students learn best by doing, Hagan said.

The conference is funded by the National Science Foundation, the State Council of Higher Education and the Radford University Foundation.

by CNB