Faculty Advisors

Connect with faculty advisors who have successfully integrated MasteringBiology into their course. Using the proven effectiveness of peer-to-peer advising, Faculty Advisors are available to relate success stories, share best practices, and provide tips for successfully integrating MasteringBiology into your curriculum.

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  Eileen Gregory
  Rollins College
  Winter Park, FL

  Courses Taught:General Biology I (majors); Non-majors Biology
  Course Format:Traditional
  "Using MasteringBiology as pre-lecture homework has resulted in improved test scores and students who come to class prepared to participate in class discussions and activities. By viewing the diagnostics before class, I can adjust the discussion to address their specific misconceptions. Student comments on course evaluations indicate that they believe MasteringBiology greatly enhances their learning by providing opportunities to apply their knowledge."
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  Tom Owens
  Cornell University
  Ithaca, NY

  Courses Taught:Introductory Biology (majors); Intro to Comparative Physiology (majors)
  Course Format:Traditional
  "Mastering provides both students and instructors with a powerful tool for formative assessment which can deliver regular feedback on student progress towards course objectives."
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  Sandi Connelly
  Rochester Institute of Technology
  Rochester, NY

  Courses Taught:Majors and Non-majors Biology
  Course Format:Traditional
  "I have seen an average increase in test scores of ∼12% from the year prior to Mastering use (2008) to now. Students are more engaged in the learning process and are more likely to ask questions, even in the large lecture hall (∼320 students). I often start class answering a question from a student ... "So, on Mastering last night ... can you explain ... ?" Wonderful!"
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  Andrew Scala
  Dutchess Community College
  Poughkeepsie, NY

  Courses Taught:Biology I & II (mixed majors); Majors Genetics; Majors Microbiology; Microbiology for Nursing
  Course Format:Traditional
  "The Mastering online resource has been incorporated into the classes I teach with success. Students comment that the homework, quizzes, and the self study areas allow them to build confidence and streamline their study time."
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  Andrea Aspbury
  Texas State University
  San Marcos, TX

  Courses Taught:Majors Biology II
  Course Format:Traditional
  "Students who complete their MasteringBiology homework (20% of course grade) are much more prepared to succeed on exams. By incorporating pre-lecture reading quizzes and post-lecture tutorial assignments in MasteringBiology, I have seen improvement in student preparedness. The incorporation of the tutorials in lecture also helps teach the difficult topics, as well."
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  Suzanne Long
  Monroe Community College
  Rochester, NY

  Courses Taught:Majors Biology I; Non-majors Biology; Microbiology (allied health)
  Course Format:Traditional
  "An awesome resource, providing students the opportunity to practice fluency in concepts learned about in their reading and in class. Excellent for assessing student understanding and applying to "just-in-time" teaching strategy."
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  Craig Lending
  The College at Brockport, State University of New York
  Brockport, NY

  Courses Taught:Biology I & II (majors); Non-majors Biology; Microbiology
  Course Format:Traditional; Hybrid
  "I use the Mastering portal as 10% of the total course grade, and have weekly assignments due that cover content similar to the lecture material. I encourage students to read in advance of lectures, and hope to eventually require the completion of the Mastering assignments prior to lecture. Virtually all of the students, at all the different levels I teach, find the assignments helpful, especially the animations and the varied formats used for assessing knowledge."
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  Cheryl Boice
  Florida Gateway College
  Lake City, FL

  Courses Taught:Biology I & II (mixed majors); Microbiology
  Course Format:Traditional; Hybrid; Online
  "Engaging the students in online activities in my courses has improved their classroom interaction and increased the exam scores and retention rates."
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  Mark Bland
  University of Central Arkansas
  Conway, AR

  Courses Taught:Non-majors Biology
  Course Format:Traditional
  "I use MasteringBiology for my non-majors course for pre-lecture assignments, quizzes, and it also serves well as an exam review. Students come to class better prepared for both class discussions and exams. It also is really nice to know that students are spending time outside of class studying instead of simply hoping that they are."
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  Jonathan Lochamy
  Georgia Perimeter College
  Atlanta, GA

  Courses Taught:Majors Biology
  Course Format:Traditional; Hybrid
  "Mastering Biology finally accomplishes the impossible, getting students to read and make deep connections with the material before I even see them in lecture. The interactive Flash animations and activities move the student's home study from passive reader to an active participant in learning. The ability to assign mandatory homework and simultaneously use low-stakes grading with hints available encourages the students to think hard about what the material means and to do their best without generating the fear of a traditional quiz or test."
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  Melissa Greene
  Northwest Mississippi Community College
  Senatobia, MS

  Courses Taught:Majors Biology I & II and Non-majors Biology I & II; Anatomy & Physiology I & II; Survey of A&P
  Course Format: Traditional; Online
  "MasteringBiology helps my students succeed in class. Knowing that they are receiving a grade for completing the material, and that at least half of their test material will come from Mastering, has really motivated my students to do their homework and read their textbook. I have definitely seen increased test scores and increased overall grades since I started using Mastering. Mastering allows me to reach students with all types of learning styles and gives the students time to practice the information they are learning in the classroom outside of class. The tutorials and videos help reinforce difficult topics that students tend to struggle with on a regular basis. The online students love the BioFlix videos, animations, and activities that allow them to see, hear, and actively engage in the material even though they are not attending traditional lectures. I have received many positive comments from my students, and they believe Mastering is helping them understand and enjoy biology."
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  William Hanna
  Massasoit Community College
  Brockton, MA

  Courses Taught:Biological Principles I & II
  Course Format:Traditional
  "I've found Mastering to be a great replacement for my paper assignments. I'm especially happy that I've been able to incorporate hints into questions that have historically given my students a hard time. I've also found that it helps my students to be more responsible about meeting deadlines and more technologically literate."
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  Patricia Walsh
  University of Delaware
  Newark, DE

  Courses Taught:Non-majors Biology
  Course Format:Traditional
  "Since I incorporated MasteringBiology into my course, students are more prepared for class and much more engaged in the material. The variety of questions, animations, and coaching activities appeal to the different learning styles of my diverse student population. I initially expected complaints about homework, but instead student comments have been very positive. Students reported on course evaluations that Mastering assignments encouraged them to read the textbook, keep up with course material, and prepare for exams."
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  Karen Curto
  University of Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, PA

  Courses Taught:Foundations of Biology I & II
  Course Format:Traditional
  "MasteringBiology provides an electronic format very familiar to today's students. It presents opportunities to reinforce information, clarify concepts, and challenge student understanding of information thus complementing both textbook and lecture presentations of biology knowledge."
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  Sarah J. Krajewski
  Grand Rapids Community College
  Grand Rapids, MI

  Courses Taught:Non-majors Biology
  Course Format:Traditional; Hybrid
  "MasteringBiology has changed how I teach. I no longer discuss every point within the reading. I use MB to assess students' reading comprehension before class, and I tailor my lecture accordingly. The MB animations and activities assist students in making mental models of the biological concepts before we discuss them in class. The test bank and reading questions help students focus on the salient points and vocabulary in a multiple choice format. Lecture is now spent engaged in discussion, with cooperative and active learning opportunities. My lecture attendance has increased as a result of the more engaging environment."
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  Jennifer A. Metzler
  Ball State University
  Muncie, IN

  Courses Taught:Introductory Cellular and Molecular course for Majors
  Course Format:Traditional
  "Mastering is a fantastic tool to help your students be better prepared for in-class participation as well as improving their overall course grade! Plus, most student feedback is very positive!"
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  Jake Dechant
  University of Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, PA

  Courses Taught: Non-majors Biology; Anatomy & Physiology I & II
  Course Format: Traditional; Fully Online
  "I particularly like Mastering for my large traditional lecture course. It allows me to really see what the students are getting and where they still need help."
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  Robert Maynard
  Pearl River Community College
  Poplarville, MS

  Courses Taught:Majors Biology I; Non-majors Biology I; Anatomy & Physiology I & II
  Course Format: Traditional; Fully online
  "Mastering helps me address a variety of learning styles through videos and animations, and helps give the students instant feedback and guidance. It takes misconceptions and wrong answers and turns them into learning opportunities. Students who use Mastering as it's intended “get it” much easier than those who don't."
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  Clay White
  Lone Star College - CyFair
  Cypress, TX

  Courses Taught:Majors Biology I & II; Non-majors Biology
  Course Format:Traditional; Hybrid
  "MasteringBiology increased my student success (students making C or higher) by 11%. Within our department, success increased across the board by 5% when Mastering was implemented in all sections. Students come to class better prepared and not afraid to participate in an active discussion about the topics. I can't imagine teaching my courses without Mastering."
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  Daniel Johnson
  Eastern Illinois University
  Charleston, IL

  Courses Taught:Non-majors Biology; Environmental Science
  Course Format:Traditional
  "I have been using the Mastering products for approximately three years to compliment my traditional biology and environmental science courses. I utilize Mastering assignments to familiarize students with the material prior to lectures, and I occasionally use the platform for quizzes and testing. I have found that students who complete the mandatory Mastering assignments outperform their counterparts on exams and overall in my classes. The system has been invaluable in keeping students engaged in learning by using a medium that they are familiar with."
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  Rebecca Orr
  Collin College
  Plano, TX

  Courses Taught:Majors Biology I
  Course Format:Traditional
  "I use MasteringBiology as a companion to my "in-class" activities. Mastering is worth 20% of my lecture grade: 10% from assigned homework and 10% from required Mastering quizzes. I find a significant positive correlation between the percentage of Mastering completed and student exam averages. I have been surprised at the enthusiasm with which Mastering was received by most of my students. More than 90% of my students say that MasteringBiology helps to increase their overall understanding of the material, and helps them keep up with the material being taught in class.
  
  Students enjoy the flexibility provided by the platform, as they can work wherever they have a computer and when it is most convenient for them. I also appreciate how often homework questions from MasteringBiology serve as a springboard for class discussions as students realize their own misconceptions. Even more fun is when students bring in questions and want to argue that their answer is more correct than that given in Mastering - these are picture perfect moments of student engagement in biology!"
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  Michelle Zurawski
  Moraine Valley Community College
  Palos Hills, IL

  Courses Taught:Mixed-majors Biology I & II
  Course Format:Traditional; Hybrid
  "Since using MasteringBiology, I have seen my students' grades rise about 10%. Having done pre-lecture assignments, students walk into lecture with a solid prior knowledge of the material. I see lots of heads nodding along, and students are answering more clicker questions correctly. Post-lecture assignments reinforce the material and challenge the students to use their higher-order thinking skills and allow them to interact hands-on with the content. The best part of using MasteringBiology is that the students truly enjoy studying with the platform. What more can you ask for?"