UniServe Science - CAUT NTDG

UniServe Science, The University of Sydney
Enhancing Australian Science and Mathematics education

CAUT Grants in Biology 1994

An Interactive Multimedia Package for Teaching Experimental Design Skills in Ecology

This project involves the production of a computer-based multimedia package for teaching ecology at undergraduate levels. The product will be designed to enhance the development of investigations skills in ecology and biology students generally, without an increase in costs for the institution. It is a cross-faculty initiative that aims to design and produce a package that will take full advantage of the most advanced interactive multimedia technology combined with the latest trends in science education and the most recent developments in learning theory and practice. It will exploit the combination of the conceptual power of a prediction model approach with involvement of the learner in actively constructing knowledge.

Leader: Dr Barry Harper
Partners:A/Prof Rob Whelan, A/Prof John Hedberg, Prof Carla Fasano
Address: Faculty of Education, The University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, WOLLONGONG NSW 2522
Tel: (042) 213 465
Fax: (042) 213 892
email: b.harper@uow.edu.au

Application of video to distance teaching of palaeontology/palaeoecology/reef environments

The project aims, by application of video, to develop a series of packages through which the major part of four courses, all of a fifth, and a segment of a sixth in palaeontology/palaeo-ecology/reef environments can be presented in such a way that they can be more effectively pitched for distance (as well as internal) teaching. Macquarie is the only tertiary institution offering distance teaching in these areas. The packages, being the first for use in studies where a large component of the course involves practical work (eg field mapping, collection, extraction, sorting and identification of various fossil groups), can be used as a model for other subject areas necessitating extensive practical work.

Leader: Assoc. Prof John Alfred Talent
Partners:R Mawson, A G Tilley, R Bashford, A Ritchie, N N Tait
Address: School of Earth Sciences, Macquarie University, NORTH RYDE NSW 2109
Tel: (02) 805 8336
Fax: (02) 805 8428
email: jtalent@ocs1ocs.mq

Development , implementation and evaluation of interactive multimedia courseware to enhance learning in Human Biology

Human Biology is studied by all students entering the Health Sciences at Curtin University. The large intake of over 1,000 students per year and the increasingly heterogeneous nature of this group has required that we explore new ways of catering for their needs. Self paced interactive computer based tutorials and laboratory simulations will offer equal learning opportunities for students with varying background knowledge, confidence and competence in the sciences. They will also allow flexible access to learning materials outside normal class hours and for distance education students.

Leader: Ms Susan Doreen Fyfe
Partner: G M Fyfe
Address: Department of Human Biology, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U 1987, PERTH WA 6001
Tel: (09) 351 7074
Fax: (09) 351 2342

Development of interactive computer simulated experimental projects for biochemistry and molecular biology students

A good science course teaches concepts, by lectures and tutorials, and provides experience in experimental design and problem solving. Practical classes are frequently used, with students working in small groups designing experiments to illuminate theory and test hypotheses. Project-based experiments use complex apparatus, animal preparations and sometimes dangerous chemicals. They are expensive to mount and to supervise. Computer-simulated experiments provide an excellent compromise between expense and educational outcome, as they allow subject material to be taught in a practical and interactive manner to large classes of students.

Leader: Prof Christopher Bryant
Partners:D A Day, R C Weir, M Arundel
Address: Faculty of Science
Australian National University, GPO Box 4, CANBERRA ACT 2601
Tel: (06) 249 5012
Fax: (06) 249 0313
email: Chris.Bryant@anu.edu.au

Development of physiological experimentation on interactive videodisk

Physiology, which is an integral part of many courses often requires complex and time consuming practical classes which are subject to errors introduced by student inexperience. An interactive videodisc program will provide the essential practical experiences and experimental variation to a novice operator. This project will develop and produce an interactive package, utilising techniques and software, which at a later stage can be integrated into a computerised environment. This package will be of great advantage for distance education students.

Leader: Dr Richard Freeburn Brightwell
Partner:A W Stewart
Address: Faculty of Science and Technology, Edith Cowan University, Pearson Street, CHURCHLANDS WA 6018
Tel: (09) 383 8564
Fax: (09) 383 8699

Development of procedures for the application of modern technology to the delivery and assessment of practical classes in biology

The aims are: firstly to develop methods for improving the standard and consistency of practical class assessment through the use of computers; secondly to provide rapid feedback on performance so that students have a better opportunity to overcome difficulties; and, thirdly to improve the presentation of practical classes using both videos and interactive computer assisted learning. The ultimate objective is to offer complete practical topics at remote centres, thus allowing for expansion of distance education in science.

Leader: Dr John Frederick Wheldrake
Partners:L A Burgoyne, G C Kirby, D A Mackay, J Orbach, B White, G J Wigmore
Address: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE SA 5001
Tel: (08) 201 2229
Fax: (08) 201 3015

Development of self-study material for undergraduate biology

This project provides undergraduate students with self- study materials to enhance their independent learning and complements traditional lectures and laboratory practicals. We have designed and developed the first stage of the program for one first-year class, centred on a written booklet of 11 self-study activities. Two of these interactive computer activities were trialed and evaluated in 1992 and are now an integral part of the curriculum. Two more programs are in progress and will be trialed in the second semester of this year. This year we used the basic framework of our software to develop an interactive computer-aided instruction package for second-year plant anatomy. Student response overwhelmingly supports the new approach, and we have had many enquiries from other institutions for our packages.

Leader: Prof Pauline Yvonne Ladiges
Partners:Dr M Burgman, Ms R Gleadow
Address: School of Botany, University of Melbourne, PARKVILLE VIC 3052
Tel: (03) 344 7156
Fax: (03) 344 7049

Development of self-study material for large undergraduate classes in biology

This project will provide undergraduate students with self- study materials to enhance their independent learning and complement traditional lectures and laboratory practicals. Undergraduate classes have expanded in size; an alternative, efficient and effective means of learning must be found to maintain quality in the face of 'mass' teaching. We have designed and developed the first-stage of such a program for one first-year class, centred on a written booklet of 11 self-study activities, as a basis for the application of information technology in teaching. Two of these are being trialed and evaluated in 1992 as interactive-computer activities. Student response overwhelmingly supports the new approach and we now wish to use the basic framework of our software to develop interactive computer-aided instruction packages applicable to all first-year biology classes and second-year plant biology.

Leader: Prof Pauline Yvonne Ladiges
Partners:R B Knox, E J Willis, A Drinnan, R Gleadow
Address: Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, PARKVILLE VIC 3052
Tel: (03) 344 5067
Fax: (03) 344 7049
email: pauline_ladiges@muwayf.unimelb.edu.au

Fabric of Life - computer-assisted interactive histology

The proposal is for the development of computer-assisted instruction in Histology. Histology is concerned with the microscopic structure of the human body, and is normally taught by the use of microscopes and special histological preparations of human and animal tissues. It is proposed to store images of these preparations on a central file server, which can be accessed from terminals provided with a colour monitor. By the use of email, access to the file server will be obtainable by both the participating universities, and it is anticipated that the system will be available later to all Australian universities (Histology is taught by the Universities of Adelaide, Queensland, Melbourne, Monash, Tasmania and Western Australia, as well as NSW and Sydney). A computer program will provide interactive computer-assisted teaching. The main merits of the proposed system will be: (i) images made at the participating universities with a variety of microscope techniques will be available to students; (ii) the system will allow the students to learn in their own time and at their own pace; and (iii) use of computer-assisted teaching and reduced wear and tear on original histological materials will lead to substantial savings in cost.

Leader: Dr Saw Kin Loo
Partners:B Freeman, P Halasz, L A Moffat, D Moses, W K Ng, K O'Toole, F W D Rost, G D Schneider, C D Shorey
Address: School of Anatomy, University of New South Wales, PO Box 1, KENSINGTON NSW 2033
Tel: (02) 697 2948
Fax: (02) 313 6252

Interactive multimedia using touch-screen technology will be used to deliver a set of computer aided learning programs in muscle structure and function

The use of computer simulations with high quality digital images to teach muscle function will reduce the use of animals for student learning and replace dissected animal tissue in experiments. Of further significance is the use of audio to assist those students who have a weakness with English language and with the pronunciation of medical terminology. The project will provide open access to large groups of students from Nursing, Physical Education and Recreation, and Occupational Health and Safety.

Leader: Assoc. Prof Michael F Carey
Partners:L Stojanovska, I Martin, K N Antonas
Address: Faculty of Science, Victoria University of Technology, PO Box 14428 MMC, MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 688 4298
Fax: (03) 688 4995

Interactive self-directed teaching programs for first year biology

We wish to offer students the opportunity to take part in self-directed learning activities that will facilitate a "small group" atmosphere in teaching groups which otherwise are very large. The main outcome of this project is to improve student understanding of major biological concepts. This will be achieved by developing a number of computer- based interactive exercises which will then be incorporated into the curriculum as a component of the laboratory course of Biology 1. One aspect of this project has already been successfully trialed. Six short exercises have been finished and formal feedback from students about these exercises has encouraged us to continue with more development.

Leader: Dr Mary Peat
Partners:Dr Sue Franklin, Dr Charlotte Taylor
Address: Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, SYDNEY NSW 2006
Tel: (02) 692 2100
Fax: (02) 692 2954

Interactive self-directed computer assisted learning modules for pathology

We wish to complement our face-to-face teaching by developing computer learning modules to increase self- directed learning of Pathology. This will allow a return to small group problem-based teaching in major principles and approaches. These modules are planned to be multi- levelled to allow access to various levels of undergraduate and postgraduate information and would be expanded to interact with future modules covering other relevant subjects, such as histology and clinical medicine. They will run in either Macintosh or IBM Windows environments and with major modifications of content could be adapted to Dental or Veterinary Pathology. Thus potentially within a relatively short time it is envisaged that a very wide range of science-based students could benefit from such a series of modules.

Leader: Dr Nicholas Jonathan Cole King
Partners:K A Crotty, B D Hambly
Address: Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, SYDNEY NSW 2006
Tel: (02) 692 4553
Fax: (02) 692 3429

Procedures for the Delivery and Assessment of Practical Classes in Biology

The aims of this project are firstly to develop methods for improving the standard and consistency of practical class assessment through the use of computers, secondly to provide rapid feedback on performance so that students have a better opportunity to remedy defects, thirdly to improve the presentation of practical classes, using both videos and interactive computer assisted learning. The ultimate objective is to offer whole practical topics at remote centres.

Leader: Dr John Frederick Wheldrake
Partners:Dr L A Burgoyne, Dr G C Kirby, Dr D A Mackay, Dr, J Orbach, Dr S M Thomas, Mr B White, Dr G J Wigmore
Address: School of Biological Sciences, The Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE SA 5001
Tel: (08) 201 2228
Fax: (08) 201 3015

Utilising Interactive Multimedia Resources for Self-Directed Learning and Lectures on Muscles

The project will develop and adapt existing resources into a library of multimedia materials relating to the structure and function, at a gross and microscopic level, of the human muscular system. A Macintosh screen-based framework will be built to access these library resources in different ways to produce a learning package on the muscular system. This package, titled MacMuscles, will improve self-directed student learning, small group tutorials and large lecture groups of up to 600 students. Our aim is to maximise the use of multimedia resources in a flexible way appropriate to such varied modes of delivery. Multimedia developed in our department will be incorporated, and commercial products tailored to meet the needs of our first-year Human Biology unit. MacMuscles could provide the basis for an Open Learning module on the anatomy and physiology of the human muscular system.

Leader: Ms Georgina Marian Fyfe
Partner: Ms Susan Fyfe
Address: Dept of Human Biology, Curtin University of Technology, PO Box U 1987, PERTH WA 6001
Tel: (09) 351 7364
Fax: (09) 351 2342

Video Applied to Distance Teaching: Palaeontology/Palaeoecology/Reef Environments

The project aims, by application of video, to develop a series of packages through which courses in palaeontology/palaeoecology/reef environment can be presented for distance (as well as internal) teaching. These areas, involving fossils as tools for interpretation of past environments and for determining ages of rocks, have direct relevance to oil exploration and an array of geological pursuits including geological mapping. Macquarie is the only tertiary institution offering distance teaching in these areas. The packages, being the first for use in studios where a large component of the course involves practical work, can be used as a model for other subject areas necessitating extensive practical work.

Leader: Prof John A Talent
Partners:Dr Ruth Mawson, Mr Allen Tilley, Mr Rodney, Bashford, Dr Alex Ritchie, Dr Noel Tait
Address: School of Earth Sciences, The Macquarie University, NTH RYDE NSW 2109
Tel: (02) 805 8336
Fax: (02) 805 8428
email: rmawson@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au

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Last Update: Thursday, 07-Feb-2002 14:45:23 EST
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