Jeffrey Coker

Assistant Professor of Biology

“Reinventing Life”:  A New Paradigm for Biology Teaching and Learning

Project Abstract

The goal of this project is to pioneer the most engaging model for teaching and learning biology in the United States.  The course title “Reinventing Life” describes the futuristic nature of both the content and the pedagogical approaches.  Although the content and pedagogy will stem from fundamental biological concepts and proven teaching methods, respectively, the course will attempt to stretch 10-50 years into the future in both areas.  All things considered, Elon has the potential to be a national leader in teaching biology to non-scientists in a century when biology is changing society (through genomics, cloning, stem cell research, environmental pressures, etc.).  This course will be a major step in that direction, and will mark a transformational change in non-majors Biology at Elon and in the country.