Using contemporary education strategies to improve teaching and learning in a Botany course at Beijing Forestry University

This paper introduces some contemporary education strategies and recent trends in teaching and learning. The report then reviews the general condition of a botany course in Beijing Forestry University. Based on the weakness of conventional teaching methods and the advantages of contemporary education strategies, five possible approaches are used to modify the botany course: concept mapping; PBL (problem-based learning); case study; web-based learning and changing assessment. Also discussed are possible problems with implementation.