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

CAUT Grants in Biology 1995

Computer-supported collaborative work in microbiology and immunology

Computer-based instruction is all too often designed for the single student. This project aims to develop prototype interactive teaching sessions for students in groups of four in selected areas of microbiology and immunology. The major goal is to combine the benefits of small group teaching with the potential of the multimedia technology now available at the University of New South Wales. Microbiology and immunology are visual disciplines well suited to learning by the newer technologies. However, skills in communication and criticism, as well as building of confidence in a discipline, are best taught in skilfully crafted sessions designed to ensure active participation of students in small group discussion. The project aims to design programs for computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW) in microbiology and immunology.

Host institution: University of New South Wales
Leader: Prof A Lee
Partners: A Collins, N Lee, S Hazell
Contact address: School of Microbiology and Immunology
SYDNEY NSW 2052
Tel: (02) 385 2101
Fax: (02) 313 6528
email: A.Lee@UNSW.edu.au

A multimedia package for teaching adaptive physiology

A multimedia package will be developed using the latest technology to integrate wet-laboratory exercises, computer simulations and self-directed tutorials as a flexible aid for teaching physiology. Classic experiments will be performed by students while more complex or novel experiments can be explored in simulations. Using the "Power PC", programs for IBM and Macintosh computers will be interfaced on the same facility. Using a more integrated approach including problem-based learning objectives and self-directed learning strategies, students will become active learners, identifying their own goals. This will produce more independent and critical thinking and allow students to link theory with practice. Eventually this multimedia package will be available for other disciplines to develop their own teaching programs.

Host institution: La Trobe University
Leader: Dr L M Gibson
Partners: M Boelen, A Verrinder
Contact address: Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences
PO Box 199
BENDIGO VIC 3550
Tel: (054) 44 7579
Fax: (054) 44 7777
email: GIBSON@basil.ucnv.edu.au

Integrated laboratory programs for small group teaching of technical skills

The major aim of laboratory teaching in science is to help students become proficient in the acquisition of scientific knowledge and the processes of scientific inquiry. This requires students to aquire many basic laboratory techniques. One fundamental skill is the correct use of stereo and high power (compound) light microscopes. This project intends to develop laboratory-based instructional programs using small groups as the main focus for teaching and learning. Each program will comprise an integrated package of print material, laboratory exercises and video sequences set in a discussion-workshop format. Unlike the more common use of video as a passive instructional tool the intended programs will use video sequences to provoke discussion and trigger investigative laboratory exercises. Essential feedback will occur via continuous evaluation. An intended corollary to the project is to develop a model for the teaching and learning of a range of technical skills.
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Host institution: La Trobe University
Leader: Mr K Wong Hee
Partners: C Hale, B Malone
Contact address: Faculty of Science and Technology
BUNDOORA VIC 3083
Tel: (03) 479 2221
Fax: (03) 479 1188

An integrated instructional program on mathematical modelling for biology students

The project addresses the difficulties encountered by biology students in developing the conceptual framework necessary to carry out mathematical modelling of biological processes. The project aims at promoting quality of learning by an interactive self-directed approach which uses computer-based modules to integrate theoretical concepts, laboratory skills and data analysis. Teaching packages will include mechanistic simulation exercises to help students understand kinetic equations and their role in fermentation and immunology. The project is a cross-faculty initiative involving students and staff in the Schools of Medicine and Biological Sciences.

Host institution: Flinders University of South Australia
Leader: Dr C M Franco
Partners: J Fowler, P Hakendorf, A Martin, N McClure, B Sanderson
Contact address: Biotechnology School of Medicine
BEDFORD PARK SA 5042
Tel: (08) 204 5764
Fax: (08) 277 0085
email: btcmf@cc.flinders.edu.au

Teaching practical pharmacology using interactive multimedia

Experimental training is fundamental to providing students with an important insight into the mechanisms of drug action. However, the inexperience of many students in animal handling, experimental procedures and equipment may fail to produce viable preparation. This proposal seeks to create an online reference work of experimental protocols using interactive multimedia and to develop an authoring system to allow other university departments to construct their own practical teaching protocols. With extensive use of sound and video to demonstrate experimental design, setup, and dissection procedures students will be less likely to make mistakes, and be able to work through protocols at their own pace. The program will also incorporate self assessment tasks, and online assessment procedures. This will significantly improve the efficiency of laboratory teaching, learning and assessment.

Host institution: University of Melbourne
Leader: Prof J Angus
Partner: D W Williams
Contact address: Department of Pharmacology
PARKVILLE VIC 3052
Tel: (03) 344 5673
Fax: (03) 347 1452
email: james_angus@muwayf.unimelb.edu.au

Interactive multimedia computer tutorials in basic biology

I propose to develop a series of interactive computer tutorials for first year biology students, covering the topics cell biology, energy transformations, reproduction and genetics, development, and evolution. The tutorials seek to address several major problems: students fail to identify important connections between pieces of information; they have difficulty in understanding the structure of complex biological objects; and they struggle to understand how the form and arrangement of such objects changes in time. Working through the tutorials, students will respond to a series of questions by entering text, pointing to specific objects or moving objects around on the screen. Feedback is provided in the form of text, diagrams, colour images, sound, video and animations. A tightly structured question and answer sequence is used to lead the student from basic facts through to fundamental concepts.

Host institution: University of New England
Leader: Dr P M Whitington
Contact address: Department of Zoology
ARMIDALE NSW 2351
Tel: (067) 73 2848
Fax: (067) 71 1869
email: pwhiting@metz.une.edu.au

Application of explanation based learning to the teaching of biochemical calculations

Competence with biochemical calculations is generally only achieved as a by-product of practical classes. Current attempts to address this involve holding intensive individual tutoring sessions. However, in order to allow students to learn the art of calculations at their own pace we aim to teach the topic with the aid of innovative computer tutorials. The computer will mimic the teaching style used by the tutor and will present the subject in an animated and dynamic manner. The computer will genuinely interact with the student and will actually seek to ascertain why a student made a particular mistake. The tutorials will be able to be manipulated and customised by the individual students themselves. In this way the classes will evolve with students' own perceptions of their abilities.

Host institution: University of Sydney
Leader: Dr G Denyer
Partner: J Johnston
Contact address: Department of Biochemistry
SYDNEY NSW 2006
Tel: (02) 692 3466
Fax: (02) 692 2576
email: gareth@biochem.su.oz

Agriculture and Renewable Resources

Developing integrative, assessment and management abilities in pasture agronomy

The purpose of this project is to develop a computer-aided learning program in pasture agronomy. This will assist undergraduate students to integrate knowledge from lectures, practical classes and field demonstrations to enhance the development of problem solving and decision making skills. The package will help overcome a substantial constraint to achieving this aim - the limited opportunity for paddock visits and participation in paddock assessment procedures. It will provide illustrated case studies and supporting information which students can compare with specified field situations or use interactively in simulated field exercises to explore alternative solutions to management problems. The program will be designed to be of value also to other users, eg farmers and agribusiness personnel.

Host institution: University of Adelaide
Leader: Dr P G Tow
Contact address: Department of Agronomy and Farming Systems
ROSEWORTHY SA 5371
Tel: (08) 303 7857
Fax: (085) 24 8065

Developing mentoring for effective learning in agriculture

This project will establish quality mentoring in the Faculty of Agriculture by developing ongoing training in mentoring for 3rd and 4th year students in association with professionals. Students will be guided in developing a Mentor Workshop and a mentoring handbook based on the workshop. The anticipated benefits of the project are an enhanced learning environment that includes sharing of experience between student and professionals. The proposed scheme builds on two loosely organised existing schemes which do not have a training component, and will integrate quality mentoring across the faculty with links to the profession and to high school students.

Host institution: University of Western Australia
Leader: Dr L K Abbott, Ms E Eaton
Contact address: Faculty of Agriculture
NEDLANDS WA 6009
Tel: (09) 380 2499
Fax: (09) 380 1050

Towards resource-based learning strategies in Australian fire management

There is critical need for improved education and training for Australian rural fire management. We wish to develop materials to support this, both for use in Australian National University and elsewhere (eg TAFE, professional development courses, etc). These materials will help address the need for students to acquire surrogate practical experience in a subject where it is frequently impossible to timetable safe and appropriate field work. We will integrate new and existing course notes with high quality graphics and digitised versions of unique slide libraries held in CSIRO and elsewhere. These will be structured into a hypermedia library of text, colour slides and graphics for network access from student computer laboratories, was well as nationally and internationally via AARNet and INTERNET. Innovative teaching practices are being developed and will continue to be developed in order to make optimal use of these materials for student learning in the undergraduate unit Fire Science and Management at Australian National University.

Host institution: Australian National University
Leader: Dr A C F Trevitt
Contact address: Department of Forestry
CANBERRA ACT 0200
Tel: (06) 249 2938
Fax: (06) 249 0746
email: Chris.Trevitt@anu.edu.au

Agriculture and forestry in Victoria - knowledge integration skills with CAL

A key attribute demanded by employers of our students is the ability to integrate knowledge across a broad range of disciple areas. The ability cannot be acquired passively from lectures or reading alone, but rather, needs experiential learning. This is often not feasible or affordable to provide. Computer-aided learning (CAL) proves a partial solution to this problem when combined with a change in pedagogy. The person of this project is to build the CAL resources needed to provide experiential learning for students of agricultural and forest sciences in accompaniment with a pedagogical shift in focus from lectures to exploratory learning and the revision and expansion of the text "Agriculture in Victoria" (Conara and Smith, 1987).

Host institution: University of Melbourne
Leader: Dr G M Rimmington
Partners: D Connor, D MacLaren, B Leur, B Hosking, A Egan
Contact address: Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
PARKVILLE VIC 3052
Tel: (03) 344 5021
Fax: (03) 347 7359
email: gmr@agriculture.unimelb.edu.au

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Last Update: Thursday, 07-Feb-2002 14:47:32 EST
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