http://w.oceanexpert.net/expert/81200

ORCID : 0000-0003-3350-6799

PhD

Teaching/Education
Research

Biological Oceanography, Marine Ecology
eDNA
Molecular Biology

Description of my role as a science educator and how I facilitate student learning is to expand students’ science literacy by increasing their skills and knowledge of the natural world around them. Students will gain a better sense of stewardship as their present and future behaviors directly and indirectly impact the environment. Ultimately, my goals focus on (a) determining the quality of students’ prior knowledge (b) using science-inquiry to initiate student-centered discussion and problem-solving, and (c) increasing student interest in science by enhancing inspiring and transformational experiences through hands-on activities that lead them to explain the importance of the scientific process in their lives and the environment around them.

Gulf of Mexico
Caribbean Sea
Gulf of Aqaba

I use the following teaching strategies to facilitate student learning. Firstly, the way I teach is basically to use the application of science communication with regards to teaching the scientific method at the beginning of every science course. That is, how do I, as a scientist, apply the scientific method to answer my research questions? What methods do I use to answer these questions? How do results infer credibility? For instance, I guide students through the phases of the scientific method in my own research in marine biodiversity during lecture. I use specimen photos, then highlight the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcoding molecular technique to determine genetic base sequences, which allow me to copy and paste them to an online Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). I access DNA sequences online, and students see my name as the identifier of the specimen, followed by my publications to support research findings. I follow each stage of the scientific method, asking students to identify each phase, and highlighting the importance of statistical analysis throughout the process. I teach it this way because it becomes more relevant to students when they see the application to real-world problems as to how it relates to the scientific method concept. Students understand the process through interactive Q&A during class, as well as note taking on the board, which allows me to reflect on if they understand the process of the scientific method. I also added a scientific method related program learning outcome assessment questions after their first exam, which provides evidence of if they understood what they learned through their scores on the assessment questions.

English

https://utsouthern.edu/person/stanton-belford/

I have conducted research on coral reefs located at Toco, Trinidad for over 20 years.