Bioethics@

Evaluation Summary

We received twenty evaluations from the thirty-one participants. Their comments were positive and expressed a consensus that the Institute met its goal. Its goal is three-fold: (1) to acquaint faculty with ethical theory; (2) to provide them with strategies for classroom discussion of moral issues; and (3) to assist them in constructing pedagogical materials, such as case studies.

Participants were asked to list the most and least useful aspects, to rate speakers and topics and to provide the Institute with an overall grade. Their responses for most useful were:

• Institute faculty and guest speakers;
• Case studies printed in the Institute Handbook;
• The Elements of Moral Philosophy, the textbook read in preparing for workshop;
• Discussions of classroom strategies for interactive methods of teaching ethics;
• Interactions with fellow scientists in the Institute.

There were very few negative comments. The criticism made most often was that the lecturer on genetic engineering was ill-prepared. Several participants did not appreciate the tour of the NCSU Phytotron during the field trip. One individual thought there was too much small group work. One thought one of the role playing exercises was not useful. Another mentioned the plagiarism exercise as least useful. But each of these judgments were accompanied by disclaimers, saying that the criticisms were minor.

• The speakers very effectively used the same strategies that they were recommending for us to use . . . active learning maximizes participant involvement and interest.
• Thanks to the Institute, I now have experience and reference material on all three objectives stated in the goals statement: theory, strategy and case studies.
• All the people at the Institute truly seemed to care about ethical issues and were concerned about how to incorporate them into their classes.
• Well-planned and presented with a nice mix of theory and application.
• "One of the most significant faculty development experiences I have had in my twenty plus years of university faculty experience. Because of the Bioethics Institute, I have changed my teaching style in a major way, I am incorporating bioethics case studies, and, having a lot of fun doing it. The students are talking up a storm, and I will be talking up the Institute." Professor Karen Penner, Kansas State University

Fifteen of the 20 respondents gave the Institute a grade of "A."

The lowest grade given was a C - . Overall, the evaluations show that the Institute, once again, was very successful.

Published by: Office of Biotechnology, Bioethics Outreach
Ames, Iowa 50011-3260, (515) 294-9818, biotech@iastate.edu
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Last Update 05/23/03