CRAIG E. NELSON

      Professor Emeritus of Biology, Indiana University [at I.U. since 1966; Emeritus since 2004]

Degrees: Ph.D. & M.A. ('66, '64) University of Texas; B.A. With Honors ('62) University of Kansas

Address:  Jordan Hall 142, 1001 E. 3rd St. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana   47405-7005

Phone:  812-322-6834 (Cell / messages).  E-Mail: nelson1@indiana.edu [Note: nelson'one']             

 

 

Personal: I have a daughter, Laura, and a son, Brett, both of whom have degrees (son, law; daughter, Ph.D.  Criminal Justice). My house is about 15 minutes from campus. It sits on the very tip end of a ridge in the middle of 53 acres of old growth (not virgin) forest above the very upper-most, tiny tip of Lake Monroe. Amenities include two greenhouses (mostly orchids and aroids) and six small fish-ponds (including a Koi pond in one greenhouse), as well as three dogs, a cat, two African gray parrots, and many wild birds (which I feed) and animals. I have been lucky in many additional ways including getting to travel to most of Latin America (20+ trips chasing frogs, bats and snakes), South Africa (my favorite pictures; more of my orchids), Australia (more pictures), Iceland, and bits of Europe.

 

AWARDS & HONORS:

¥ Tenured and twice promoted at IU with teaching specified as the area of excellence.

¥ Outstanding Teaching Award, Indiana University Student Alumni Council, 1981

¥ Indiana University-Lilly Foundation Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship, 1981- 1982

¥ Amoco Foundation Award ÒIn Recognition of Distinguished Teaching,Ò 1983

¥ Outstanding Faculty Award, Indiana University Student Alumni Council, 1987

¥ Faculty Colloquium on Excellence in Teaching "In Recognition of Distinguished Teaching" 1989

¥ Chancellor's Lecture on Great Teaching, Vanderbilt University, 1991

¥ President's Honor for Teaching, Northwestern University, 1994

¥ Sigma Xi National Lecturer, 1993-95 [For Scholarship on Teaching]

¥ Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Presentation Award, IU,1999

¥ Carnegie Scholar for 2000-2001, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

¥ Outstanding Research And Doctoral University Professor Of The Year, 2000, Carnegie Foundation for the

    Advancement of Teaching / Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

¥ President's Medal for Excellence, Indiana Univ., 2001 ["The highest honor bestowed by Indiana U."]

TEACHING: Dr. Nelson's tenure and promotions cited excellence in teaching, an unusual accomplishment at a research university. He received several IU and nationally competitive teaching awards (above). He taught: introductory biology; graduate and undergraduate evolution and ecology; an Intensive Freshman Seminar (Biology, Critical thinking and Real Life) and several interdisciplinary and honors courses (e.g. Environmental Science and Policy, Ideas and Human Experience, the History of Everything Except Civilization), and part of a three course liberal-arts cluster (Knowing, Knowledge and Their Limits:  Literature, Psychology, and Biology). He regularly taught a graduate biology course on "Alternative Approaches to Teaching College Biology." Dr. Nelson was one of IUÕs teachers featured in the videotapes, Making Larger Classes Work: Experiences of Indiana University Faculty and What to Expect in the

College Classroom [produced & distributed by IU 812-855-1983].

ADMINISTRATION: Dr. Nelson directed the Graduate Programs in Zoology (1981-83) and in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (1984-87). He was the first Director (1971-77) of Environmental Programs in IU's then new School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Its interdisciplinary environmental programs (B.A. to Ph.D.) now rank among the best worldwide. (See: C. Nelson, 1974. ÒEnvironmental Studies Programmes, Indiana University.Ó Pp. 97-110 in: Environmental Education at Post Secondary Level, Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI/OECD), Paris (Reprinted: pp. 79-88 in A.L. Pratt (Ed.), 1974, Selected Environmental Education Programs in North American Higher Education, National Association for Environmental Education).

 

 

 

BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH:

Dr. Nelson's biological research is in evolution and ecology. Research questions have included:  Do tadpoles die for their siblings? Do amphibians feed or exploit ponds? When, from a male frog's viewpoint, is stealing a mate preferable to persuasion? Why should an orchid scare its pollinators?  And: Why should hot eggs become females in turtles? He has done extensive field work in Latin America. Selected Biological Publications (from 70+ scientific papers):

 

Freedberg, S., R.M. Bowden, M.A. Ewert, D.R. Sengelaub and C.E. Nelson. 2006. Long-term sex reversal by oestradiol

in amniotes with heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Biology Letters. Online. Doi:10.1098/rsbl.206.0454 4pp.

Freedberg, S., M.A. Ewert, B.J. Ridenhour, M. Neiman, C.E. Nelson. 2005. Nesting fidelity and molecular evidence for natal homing in the freshwater turtle, Graptemys kohni. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

272:1345-1350.

Ewert, M.A., Lang, J.W., and Nelson, C.E. 2005. Geographic variation in the pattern of temperature-dependent  sex

determination in the American snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Journal of Zoology London 265:81-95.

Freedberg, S., A.L. Stumpf, M.A. Ewert, C.E. Nelson. 2004. Developmental environment has long-lasting effects on

behavioural performance in two turtles with environmental sex determination. Evolutionary Ecology Research

6:739-747.

Ewert, M.A., Etchberger, C.R., and Nelson, C.E. 2004. Turtle sex determining modes and TSD Patterns, and some TSD pattern correlates. Chapter 3 (pp 21-32). In: Valenzuela, N. and V. Lance, Eds. Temperature Dependent Sex 

Determination in Vertebrates. Smithsonian Books. Washington D.C.

Ewert, M.A. and C.E. Nelson. 2003. Metabolic heating of embryos and sex determination in the American Alligator,

Alligator mississippiensis. Journal of Thermal Biology 28:159-165.

Bowden, R.M, M.A. Ewert and C.E. Nelson. 2002. Hormone levels in yolk decline throughout development in the

red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans). General and Comparative Endocrinology 129:171-177.

Etchberger, C.R., M.A. Ewert, J.B. Phillips and C.E. Nelson. 2002. Carbon dioxide influences environmental sex

determination in two species of turtles.  Amphibia-Reptilia 23 (2): 169-175

Freedberg, S., M.A. Ewert and C.E. Nelson. 2002. Environmental effects on fitness and consequences for sex

allocation in a reptile with environmental sex determination. Evolutionary Ecology Research 3:953-967.

Clark, P.J., M.A. Ewert and C.E. Nelson. 2001. Physical apertures as constraints on egg size and shape in the common

musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). Journal of Functional Ecology 15:70-77.

Klukowski, M. & C.E. Nelson. 2001. Ectoparasite loads in free-ranging northern fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus

hyacinthinus: Effects of testosterone and sex. Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology 49:289-295.

Bowden, R.M., Ewert, M.A., and Nelson, C.E. 2000. Environmental sex determination in a reptile varies seasonally

and with yolk hormones. Proceedings Royal Society London. B 267:1454-1459

Klukowski, M. and C.E. Nelson. 1998. The challenge hypothesis and seasonal changes in aggression and steroids in

male northern fence lizards, Scelporous undulatus hyacincthinus. Hormones and Behavior 33:197-204.

Klukowski, M., N.M. Jenkinson and C.E. Nelson. 1998.  Effects of testosterone on locomotory performance and

growth in field active northern fence lizards, Scelporous undulatus hyacincthinus. Physiological Zoology 71: 506-514

Ewert, M.A., D.R. Jackson and C.E. Nelson. 1994. Patterns of Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in Turtles.

Journal of Experimental Zoology 270:3-15.

Viets, B.E., M.A. Ewert, L.G. Talent and C.E. Nelson. 1994. Sex-Determining Mechanisms in Squamate Reptiles.

Journal of Experimental Zoology 270:45-46.

Ewert, M.A. and C.E. Nelson. 1991.  Sex Determination In Turtles:  Diverse Patterns And Some Possible Adaptive

Values.  Copeia 1991: 50-69.

Heyer, W., A. Rand, C. Goncalves da Cruz, O. Peixoto, and C.E. Nelson.  1990.  Frogs of Boraceia.  Arquivos de

Zoologia, Univ. Sao Paulo, (Brasil) 31(4):231-410

Romero, G.A. and C.E. Nelson. 1986. Forcible Pollen Emplacement And Male Flower Competition Sustain  Sexual

Dimorphism in Catasetum Orchids. Science 232:1538-1540.

 

 

 

CRAIG E. NELSON

SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

    Dr. Nelson's Scholarship of Teaching and Learning focuses on the scholarships of synthesis and application (per Boyer and Rice). When he began working in this area, it was clear that the empirical and theoretical base for much improved college teaching was well already in hand. The major effort needed was in developing ways to apply this base in the classroom. He has worked to develop such applications and to help other faculty understand the empirical and theoretical base, the most feasible ways to apply it, and the importance of doing both.

    Dr. Nelson was part of the committee that founded the prestigious Scholarship of Teaching and Learning program at IU (see www.indiana.edu/~sotl/ and articles in the SOTL special issue of the Journal of Excellence in College Teaching. vol. 14—citaions below). In 2003, this program won the prestigious Hesburgh Award for outstanding faculty development (newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/777.html).  He chaired (2004-05) the founding committee for the  International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (http://www.issotl.org/) and became its first president. Until his retirement he served on the editorial boards of key journals for the scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL): International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/ijsotl/) JoSoTL (http://titans.iusb.edu/josotl/) and MountainRise (http://mountainrise.wcu.edu/). He earlier served on the editorial board of The Journal for Excellence In College Teaching and of The Journal of Cooperation and Collaboration in College Teaching, on the editorial panel of College Teaching and on teaching grant review panels for NSF, NEH and FIPSE.  He has been a Carnegie Scholar (Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching) since 2001. He was named Outstanding Research And Doctoral University Professor Of The Year, 2000 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). In 2001 he received IUÕs President's Medal for Excellence ["The highest honor bestowed by Indiana University"].

 

 

1. FOSTERING CRITICAL THINKING & MATURE VALUING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

    Nelson, C.E.  1999. On the persistence of unicorns: The tradeoff between content and critical thinking revisited. In 

B.A. Pescosolido and R. Aminzade, Eds.,  The Social Worlds of Higher Education:  Handbook for Teaching in a New

Century.  Pine Forge Press. http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/99_PersistenceUnic.pdf

    Nelson, C.E.  1989. Skewered on the unicorn's horn: The illusion of a tragic tradeoff between content and critical thinking in the teaching of science. In  L. Crowe,  Ed.,  Enhancing Critical Thinking in The Sciences. Society of College

Science Teachers.

 

2. DIVERSITY AND COLLEGE TEACHING.

    Nelson, C.E.  1996. Student Diversity Requires Different Approaches to College Teaching, Even in Math and

Science.  American Behavioral Scientist 40:165-175. [Ideas apply across the curriculum.]

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/96_StudentDiversity.pdf

    Nelson, C.E.  1994.  Every course differently: an outline and (with others) valuing diversity in the educational process. In J. Lanier & W. Sibley, Eds., Role of Faculty from Science Disciplines in the Undergraduate Education of

Science and Mathematics Teachers. National Science Foundation, Publication 93-108.

 

    Nelson, C.E.  1994. Critical thinking and collaborative learning. Chapter 5 (pp. 45-58)  In K. Bosworth & S.

Hamilton, Eds., Collaborative Learning and College Teaching.  Jossey-Bass.

 

3. ACTIVE LEARNING

    Ingram, E.L. and C.E. Nelson. 2005. Discussing multiple-choice questions helps students reconstruct their

understanding. American Biology Teacher May 2005:289-295.

    Nelson, C.E.  1997. Tools for tampering with teachingÕs taboos. Chapter 4 (pp. 51-77) In W.E. Campbell & K.A.

Smith, Eds.  New Paradigms for College Teaching. Interaction Book Co.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/97_ToolsTamper.pdf

Nelson, C.E.  1994.  Continuous Assessment.  Pg. 24 In:  E. Bender et al. (Eds.) Quick Hits, Successful Strategies

By Award Winning Teachers.  Indiana University Press.  (Invited contribution.)

     Nelson, C.E.  1994.  [Comments on teaching, with classroom videos and student comments]  In:  Making Large Classes: Experiences of Indiana University Faculty. Videotape.  [Produced at IU and distributed by:  Instructional

Support Services, Dean of Faculties Office, Indiana University].

 

4. TEACHING EVOLUTION & THE NATURE OF SCIENCE (& Fostering Critical Th. & Respecting Religion)

     Nelson, C.E. 2007. Teaching evolution effectively: A central dilemma and alternative strategies. McGill Journal of

Education 42(2):265-283     Online: http://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/2223/1693  [Entire issue is on Evolution Education

http://mje.mcgill.ca./42/2  ]

     Nelson, C.E. 2006. Nelson's Response to Black. BioScience 56:286. [Comment on how to teach evolution so as

to reach college students who initially reject it.]

    Ingram, E.L. and C.E. Nelson. 2005. Relationship between achievement and studentsÕ acceptance of evolution or creation in an upper-level evolution course. Journal of Research in Science Teaching 43:7-24.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/05_Ing_&_N_Relationship.pdf

     Nelson, C.E. 2005. How Can We Help Students Really Understand Evolution? BioScience 55:923.

http://www.aibs.org/bioscience-editorials/editorial_2005_11.html  See also: Nelson's ResponseÉBioScience 56:286

    Nickels, M.N. and C.E. Nelson. 2005. Beware of nuts and bolts: Putting evolution back into the teaching of

classification. American Biology Teacher 67:289-295. http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/05_Nic_&_N_Nuts Bolts.pdf

    Nelson, C.E. 2005. Design Isn't science: Why biology classes shouldn't teach intelligent design. [Invited column.]

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Perspective page, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005. http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/craig.id.html

    Alters, B.J. and C.E. Nelson. 2002. Teaching evolution in higher education. Evolution 56:1891-1901.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/02_A&NTchngEvHiEd.pdf

    Nelson, C.E. 2002. Creationism. Pp. 214-217 in M. Pagel (Ed.), Oxford Encyclopedia of Evolution. Oxford

University Press.

    Nelson, C.E. and M. K. Nickels.  2001. Using humans as a central example in teaching undergraduate biology labs.

Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching 22:332-365.  Association for Biology Laboratory Education.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/0 1_N&N_UsingHumans.pdf

    Nelson, C.E.  2000. Effective strategies for teaching evolution and other controversial subjects. Pp 19- 50 in: The

Creation Controversy and the Science Classroom. National Science Teachers Association. 

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/00_EffStrategiesEv.pdf

    Nelson, C.E., M.K. Nickels and Jean Beard.  1998.  The nature of science as a foundation for teaching science:  Evolution as a case  study.  Chapter 20 (pp. 315-328) in: W.F. McComas, Ed. The Nature of Science in Science

Education.  Kluwer Academic Publ. http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/98_NNB_NOS_CaseSt.pdf

    Nickels, M.N., C.E. Nelson, and J. Beard.  1996.  Better biology teaching by emphasizing evolution and the nature

of science.  American Biology Teacher 58: 332-336. http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/abt.mcj.html

    Nelson, C.E.  1986.  ÒCreation, evolution, or both?  A multiple model approach.Ó Ch. 9 In  R.W. Hanson, Ed.,

Science and creation: geological, theological, and educational perspectives.  Macmillian.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/86_SciCreat.pdf

    Dr. Nelson cosponsors the Evolution and Nature of Science Web-site, which provides teacher-tested lessons and

other resources for high-school and college teachers. http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/

 

 

5.  THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND LEARNING (SOTL): PROGRAMS & GENRES

    Nelson, C.E. & J.M. Robinson.  2006. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and Change in Higher Education." Ch.7 (pp 78-90) In Lynne Hunt, Adrian Bromage, and Bland Tomkinson. Editors.  Realities of Educational

Change: Interventions to Promote Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.  London: Routledge. Ã

    Nelson, C.E. 2006. Celebration and Reflection. [Invited Essay on SoTL] MountainRise 3(1):

http://mountainrise.wcu.edu/issue.html

    Nelson, C.E. 2004. Doing It:  Selected Examples of Several of the Different Genres of SOTL. Journal of Excellence

in College Teaching. 14 (2-3): 85-94. http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/00_Genres.pdf

    Robinson, J.R. & C.E. Nelson. 2004. Institutionalizing and diversifying a vision of the scholarship of  teaching and learning. Journal of Excellence in College Teaching. 14 (2-3): 95-118. http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/04_R_&_N_InstitutionalizingSOTL.pdf     [See also: Thompson, S. B. 2004. From two box lunches to buffets: Fulfilling the promise of the scholarship of teaching and learning. Journal on Excellence in College Teaching. 14 (2-3): 85-94. http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/04_Thompson_BoxLs.pdf   These two articles together summarize the genesis and development of the strong SOTL program at Indiana University in Bloomington.]

 

    Nelson, C.E. 2004. The research-teaching-research cycle: One biologist's experience. Chapter 6  (pp.128-141) in M.L. Andrews and W.A. Becaker (eds.) The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Contributions

of Research Universities. Indiana University Press.

    Nelson, C.E.  2000. "How Could I Do Scholarship Of Teaching & Learning?: Selected Examples of  Several of the Different Genres of SOTL." 3 pp. On CD accompanying: P. Hutchings (Ed.) Opening Lines: Approaches to the

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. [Updated Version:

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/00_Genres.pdf

    Nelson, C.E.  1974.  Environmental Studies Programmes, Indiana University.  In Environmental Education at Post Secondary Level (2 vols.), pp. 97-110.  Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI), Organization for

Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Paris

    [Nelson, C.E.  1974.  Environmental Studies Program (at Indiana University).  In Selected Environmental Education Programs in North American Higher Education, A.L. Pratt (Ed.), pp. 79-88.  National Association for Environmental

Education (Reprint of preceding article)]

 

6. PREPARING FUTURE FACULTY FOR TEACHING

     Nelson, C.E.  1987.  Biology program encourages more thoughtful teaching techniques.  Campus Report (IU-B)

11(8):4-5 (Invited article) (Available from ERIC, summarized in Resources in Education, Jan. 1988)

   [For Discipline based Graduate Courses for PhD students on Teaching Undergraduates in 30 Indiana University

Departments see:  http://www.iub.edu/~teaching/allabout/prepare/pedagogy.shtml

 

7. QUICK SUMMARIES OF KEY IDEAS

    Nelson, C.E. 2001. "What Is The Most Difficult Step We Must Take To Become Great Teachers?"  National

Teaching and Learning Forum [= NTLF]. 10(4): 10-11. http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/01_6_MostDifficult.pdf

    Nelson, C.E. 2001. "What Might Help A Pretty Good Teacher Become A Great Teacher?" NTLF 10(3): 5-7

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/01_5_HelpPrettyGood.pdf

    Nelson, C.E. 2001. "Why Should You Publish Your Best Teaching Ideas?"  NTLF 10(2):10-11.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/01_4_WhyPublish.pdf

    Nelson, C.E. 2000. "What Is The First Step We Should Take To Become Great Teachers?" NTLF 10(1):7-8.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/00_3_FirstStep.pdf

    Nelson, C.E. 2000. "Must Faculty Teach in Ways That Make Them Easily Dispensable?"  NTLF 9(6):4-5.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/00_2_MustFacTch.pdf

    Nelson, C.E. 2000. "How Can Students Who Are Reasonably Bright And Who Are Trying Hard To Do The

Work Still Flunk?"  NTLF 9(5):7-8. http://mypage.iu.edu/~nelson1/00_1_HowCanSsFlunk.pdf