Bob Goldberg HHMI - HC199 Overview Page

NSF and HHMI Sponsored Teaching Program: HC199 Overview

This informal course on the art of teaching is taken by undergraduates who serve as Teaching Fellows and Peer Research Mentors in HC70A and HC70AL, respectively. Undergraduates are selected who show unusual promise as teachers. Bob Goldberg meets several times a week with these undergraduates in order to develop their skills and interest in science teaching. Teaching Fellows are taught how to: (1) develop a teaching "game plan," (2) write concept questions used by students each week as study guides, (3) teach students how to read and understand scientific papers, (4) lead "debates" on the relationship between science and society, (5) speak in front of a class, (6) use the Socratic method as an interactive teaching tool, (7) gain the confidence and poise needed to teach their peers, (8) deal with unusual student-student and student-teacher situations and interactions, and (9) be "exciting" and "dynamic" teachers. Teaching Fellows are videotaped in the classroom and their teaching styles are critiqued so that they can learn to become more effective teachers. Peer Research Mentors also learn how to (1) organize a teaching laboratory, (2) demonstrate and teach genomics and bioinformatics procedures, and (3) how to lead teams carrying out original research projects using functional genomics. In the past six years, 19 undergraduates have participated as HHMI-sponsored Teaching Fellows and Peer Research Mentors, including both life science and non-science majors.

GET TO KNOW THE TEACHING FELLOWS

	Daisy Robinton HC70A Winter 2008, 2009 and 2010 HC70AL Spring 2008, 2009 and 2010 Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology Student, UCLA
	Kristin Gill HC70AL Winter 2010, Spring 2009 and 2010 Candidate for B.A. in International Studies, UCLA
	Aycha Erbilgin HC70AL Spring 2003, & HC70A Winter 2009 B.S in MCDB, UCLA Ph.D. student in Human Genetics, UCLA
	Kelli Henry HC70A Winter 2009 B.S in Plant Biology, UC Davis Ph.D. student in MCDB, UCLA
	Bekah Charney HC70A Winter 2008 & HC70AL Spring 2008 B.A. in Polical Science, UCLA Ph.D. student in Developmental Biology at UC Irvine
	Jonathan Russell HC70AL Spring 2006 B.S. in MIMG, UCLA
	Ria Yagnik HC70AL Spring 2006 B.S. in MIMG, UCLA Ph.D. student in Genetics, UC Davis
	Gloria Chu HC70A Winter 2006 B.A. in International Studies, UCLA Financial Analyst, Citi Investment Banking Division, Los Angeles
	Brittan Scales HC70AL Spring 2005 B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Major, UCLA MPH from UC Berkeley
	Tiffany Sum HC70A Winter 2005 B.A. in Linguistics, UCLA Middle School Math Teacher, Garden Grove School District
	Mike Gavino HC70A Winter 2005-2006 & HC70AL Spring 2005-2006 B.S. in MCDB, UCLA Ph.D. student in Biology, MIT
	Erin Marsh HC70AL Spring 2004 B.S. in MCDB, UCLA , M.D., USC Ob/Gyn Resident
	Josh Wolf HC70AL Spring 2004 B.S. in MCDB, UCLA NSF Pre-doctoral Fellow in Biology, MIT
	Mai Pham HC70A Winter 2004 & HC70AL Spring 2004 B.S. in MCDB, UCLA M.D., Boston University
	Jinsun Choi HC70A Winter 2004 B.S. in MCDB, UCLA M.D., UC Irvine
	Mike Ferry HC70A Winter 2003, & HC70AL Spring 2003 B.S. in MCDB, UCLA NSF Pre-doctoral Fellow in Bioengineering, UC San Diego
	Malik Francis HC70A Winter 2003, 2004 B.A. and M.A. in Physical Science, UCLA Ph.D. student in Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley

GENE DISCOVERY LABORATORY

TEACHING UNDERGRADUATES HOW TO TEACH - HC199

A Unique Learning Experience

"Daisy is the best TA I've had so far at UCLA!" - Comment from HC70AL student, Spring 09

"Great experience! Daisy was really helpful when it came to understanding the course material." - Comment from HC70A student, Winter 09

"Teaching in Dr. Goldberg's classes has not only been the most fun and memorable experience in my time at UCLA, but it challenged me in countless ways and gave me the confidence to tackle any obstacle and strive for any goal. Teaching HC70A and AL has shaped me into an effective leader with communication skills and a great deal of confidence" -Daisy Robinton's reflection on being a Teaching Fellow in 2008 and 2009

"Mike was quite a TA. I really can't think of another TA with more energy, style and openness than Mike. I really had a great time in the class, and it often released much pressure of the day. The great thing about Mike is that he puts everyone at ease, and suddenly it didn't feel like a class but an open seminar. He encouraged everyone to speak and made it ok to not know or to be wrong. I felt that I learned a lot about speaking up in his session. Thanks Mike! It was a thrill to have you as my TA."-Comment from HC70A student, Winter 05

Kristin Gill; HC70A Winter 2010, Spring 2009 &2010

"While research has taught me how to think critically and creatively, teaching has taught me how to communicate more effectively." Click here to read Kristin Gill's testimonial as an undergraduate teaching fellow and laboratory peer mentor.

Mike Ferry; HC70A Winter 2003 & HC70AL Spring 2003

"From my experiences teaching with Dr. Goldberg I now wish to continue teaching in the future and I am seriously considering an academic career." Click here to read Mike Ferry's testimonial as an undergraduate teaching fellow and laboratory peer mentor.

Malik Francis; HC70A Winter 2003 & 2004

"There were many times where I felt that I got more out of the course than the students. I consider myself lucky." Click here to read Malik Francis' testimonial as an undergraduate teaching fellow.

Teaching Fellow Mike Gavino Interacts With Students in the HC70A Undergraduate Seminar (2:30 minutes)
click on the picture to view clip

Undergraduate Peer Research Mentor Daisy Robinton working with the HC70AL Students in the UCLA Plant Growth Center.

TESTIMONIALS FROM UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING FELLOWS AND PEER RESEARCH MENTORS ON THEIR EXPERIENCE IN HC70A AND/OR HC70AL