Teaching
Two of my classes have been designed as service learning classes: Global Change Ecology (English or Bilingual Class) 4388, and Conservation Biology 3404. The service and experiential learning experience will help my students to strengthen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills by developing activities outside the classroom, especially by helping local communities identify and potentially adapt to/mitigate problems related to global change ecology and/or conservation biology. As service and experiential learning courses, a very important component is the use of a reflective journal. I work closely with the Engagement Zone, Office of Engagement and Learning-Office of Engaged Scholarship and Learning, to help facilitate success in this area. I like to receive feedback from the communities engaged in these courses to continue or improve our service and experiential learning offerings.
Jose Trevino and Ricardo Garcia.
Student's comments about this experience include: I like “Learning new things such as appreciation of nature and hard work”, “Made new friends from class”, “More involved with community“.
Lucas Serna: I like “Gaining knowledge about plants and animals that inhabit the area”, “Interacting with people at outreaches”, “The people I work with were very friendly”.
Diana Munoz: I like “Educational environment”, “Friendly environment”, “Beautiful scenery”.
Jennifer Perez: “I was able to bring my son along, and if any volunteers want to take their children along you can call ahead of time and they will have a fun volunteer activity for both, the child and parent, to work on together. I like it so much I plan to keep volunteering on the weekends with my child”.