BodyText1
The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) has honored UD's Deborah Allen with its 2013 Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education.
The associate professor of biological sciences
was cited by the society for her "pioneering and influential work in
biology education." Also the director of UD's Center for Teaching and
Assessment of Learning, Allen was an early proponent of problem-based
learning -- a teaching method in which students work collaboratively to
solve real-world problems that are challenging and complex.
"Over the past two decades, Allen has made significant contributions
to faculty professional development, science K-12 teacher professional
development, curriculum development, science education research and
science education grants administration," the ASCB said in announcing
her selection for the award.
A recipient of the University's Excellence in Teaching Award and its
Innovation Award, she is a founding leader of UD's Institute for
Transforming Undergraduate Education and designs and implements
workshops on problem-based learning and collaborative learning that are
offered at the institute and on other campuses.
Allen spent the past three years at the National Science Foundation
as a program officer in the Division of Undergraduate Education before
returning to UD. Her articles about biology teaching and learning have
been collected into a book with co-author Kimberly C. Tanner, Transformation: Approaches to College Science Teaching.
The Bruce Albert Award was presented in December at the ASCB annual meeting.