Dr. Diane Ebert-May

Dr. Ebert-May is a plant biologist and professor at Michigan State University. While she studies alpine tundra plant communities she is also a staunch advocate for reform in science education. Although her work applies directly to undergraduate students, it is easy to see how her ideas can be extended into the classroom of any science educator. Her basic premise is to accentuate learning through experience. The application and realization of what Dr. Ebert-May envisions for the classroom would require a dedicated and hard-working teacher willing to discard many of the methodologies they are currently using. While we may not be comfortable with that thought, she does make a very convincing argument for the overhaul of our current educational model. At the very least, her research may inspire you to incorporate more experiential learning into your everyday lesson plans.

I have included a link to her website on the blog homepage as well as several other sites giving in depth background knowledge on the methodology and threory behind this teaching method and learning style.

Welcome & Introduction

Welcome to my new blog...



The purpose of this online interactive devise it to promote and facilitate the sharing of educational ideas between educators that may never meet face-to-face. It has become readily apparent in recent years that the educational system of the United States must evolve to meet the needs of a 20th century student body. It is my hope that you will use this forum to discuss your successes and failures in the classroom in a comfortable, constructive environment. As fellow educators we can combine our efforts and ideas to become BETTER.

As this blog is brand new it will take me some time to organize and arrange its use, but please feel free to post lessons, methodologies, strategies, activities or classroom management tactics that you feel would benefit others.

Thank you and happy blogging,

Aaron Rieder