Curriculum Innovations

Murray Logan & Gordon Samson

The School of Biological Sciences has entered into a partnership with a large international company to develop the first fully digital teaching laboratory. The system consists of 50 individual student computer terminals and two teacher terminals, each associated with a high-resolution USB camera and compound and stereo microscopes. This session is a summary of the rational, execution and outcomes of these innovations.

Teaching Technology that Increases Student Engagement and Adds Value to MUSO (pdf, 738 KB)

Richard Reina

Biological Sciences

By using a wireless audience response system, students were able to respond to questions posed by the lecturer immediately and individually. Responses were graded and commented on immediately and were anonymously collated to provide class feedback on the spot. Students embraced this innovative approach enthusiastically, which resulted in greater engagement and more effective learning and teaching.

Innovative Animations in Teaching (pdf, 880 KB)

Pharmaceutics

In 2003, the presenters developed a series of animations to help students with concepts in the area of "membranes and action potentials." Hailed as examples of innovative teaching, the animations have increased both students' engagement with, and understanding of, very complex concepts. The presentation outlines the development of the project and discuss their effects on student learning.