E-Learning in Science E-Learning in Science EducationEducation

Ivor Hickey Ivor Hickey Department of Science Department of Science

St Mary’s University CollegeSt Mary’s University College

Uses of E-Learning in Science Uses of E-Learning in Science EducationEducation

WhyWhy

WhenWhen

WhatWhat

OpportunitiesOpportunities

To simplify tasks for students and/or To simplify tasks for students and/or lecturerslecturers

To develop innovative learning and To develop innovative learning and teaching methods that would not otherwise teaching methods that would not otherwise be possiblebe possible

Data CollectionData Collection

First year biology practicalsFirst year biology practicalsplant growth dataplant growth data

Quick classes Quick classes FeedbackFeedback

student reportstudent report

MicroscopyMicroscopy

Cells structures in woodCells structures in woodProblemsProblems

Problems of learning through microscopy

Only one persons sees the image

Describe, Draw, Discuss

Difficult for learner

Problems in teaching through microscopy

Deal with only one student at a time

MicroscopyMicroscopy

Cells structures in wood Cells structures in wood ProblemsProblemsSolutionsSolutions

digital imagesdigital images ““Take and Ask Sessions”Take and Ask Sessions”

Movie MakerMovie Maker

Subject Application Subject Application World Around Us – Science History World Around Us – Science History

Geography Geography

Discovery Trails of the natural, social and Discovery Trails of the natural, social and built local environmentbuilt local environmenthttp://www.trails.iehttp://www.trails.ie

FieldtripFieldtrip

Students task Students task Discovery trail of Garrison Co. FermanaghDiscovery trail of Garrison Co. FermanaghPut it together as a video presentation Put it together as a video presentation

using Movie Makerusing Movie MakerGot a good initial responseGot a good initial response

Procedure IProcedure I

pm Monday pm Monday revise topic of trails and run through how revise topic of trails and run through how Movie Maker worksMovie Maker works

am Tuesdayam Tuesdaystudents reconnoitre village for relevant students reconnoitre village for relevant sites and informationsites and informationdiscuss ideas with lecturer and decide on discuss ideas with lecturer and decide on items to be includeditems to be includedLunchLunch

Procedure IIProcedure II

Tuesday pmTuesday pmshoot stills, video +/- commentaryshoot stills, video +/- commentary

upload to Movie Maker, start to editupload to Movie Maker, start to edit

decide on voiceover, write and recorddecide on voiceover, write and record DinnerDinner Show video to assembled students and Show video to assembled students and

go to pubgo to pub

EvaluationEvaluation

Students enjoyedStudents enjoyedVery “hands-on” experienceVery “hands-on” experienceConfidence buildingConfidence buildingSkills driven:Skills driven:

planning, decision making, creativity, planning, decision making, creativity, management of info and time, initiativemanagement of info and time, initiative

Final product is usefulFinal product is usefulHas a “can do” legacy for studentsHas a “can do” legacy for students

Seminar AssessmentSeminar Assessment

Assessment Assessment contribution to seminars relating to a contribution to seminars relating to a computer simulation of population geneticscomputer simulation of population genetics

Score responses from video of seminar:Score responses from video of seminar:frequency and quality of responsesfrequency and quality of responses

AdvantagesAdvantages

Speed Speed Video available for feedbackVideo available for feedbackVideo available for revisionVideo available for revisionNo time consuming writing of formal reportNo time consuming writing of formal reportHighly interactive / assessment for Highly interactive / assessment for

learninglearningPopular with studentsPopular with students

Other applicationsOther applications

Use of Observer software for recording Use of Observer software for recording behaviours in ethology research projectsbehaviours in ethology research projects

Animation as storytelling using Digital BlueAnimation as storytelling using Digital Blue