E-Learning in Science Education Ivor Hickey Department of Science St Marys University College

Uses of E-Learning in Science Education Why When What

Opportunities To simplify tasks for students and/or lecturers To simplify tasks for students and/or lecturers To develop innovative learning and teaching methods that would not otherwise be possible To develop innovative learning and teaching methods that would not otherwise be possible

Data Collection First year biology practicals plant growth data First year biology practicals plant growth data plant growth data plant growth data Quick classes Quick classes Feedback student report Feedback student report student report student report

Microscopy Cells structures in wood Cells structures in wood Problems Problems

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

Microscopy Cells structures in wood Cells structures in wood Problems Problems Solutions digital images Solutions digital images Take and Ask Sessions Take and Ask Sessions

Movie Maker Subject Application World Around Us – Science History Geography Discovery Trails of the natural, social and built local environment

Fieldtrip Students task Students task Discovery trail of Garrison Co. Fermanagh Discovery trail of Garrison Co. Fermanagh Put it together as a video presentation using Movie Maker Put it together as a video presentation using Movie Maker Got a good initial response Got a good initial response

Procedure I pm Monday revise topic of trails and run through how Movie Maker works pm Monday revise topic of trails and run through how Movie Maker works am Tuesday students reconnoitre village for relevant sites and information discuss ideas with lecturer and decide on items to be included Lunch am Tuesday students reconnoitre village for relevant sites and information discuss ideas with lecturer and decide on items to be included Lunch

Procedure II Tuesday pm shoot stills, video +/- commentary Tuesday pm shoot stills, video +/- commentary upload to Movie Maker, start to edit upload to Movie Maker, start to edit decide on voiceover, write and record decide on voiceover, write and record Dinner Dinner Show video to assembled students and Show video to assembled students and go to pub

Evaluation Students enjoyed Students enjoyed Very hands-on experience Very hands-on experience Confidence building Confidence building Skills driven: planning, decision making, creativity, management of info and time, initiative Skills driven: planning, decision making, creativity, management of info and time, initiative Final product is useful Final product is useful Has a can do legacy for students Has a can do legacy for students

Seminar Assessment Assessment contribution to seminars relating to a computer simulation of population genetics Assessment contribution to seminars relating to a computer simulation of population genetics Score responses from video of seminar: frequency and quality of responses Score responses from video of seminar: frequency and quality of responses

Advantages Speed Speed Video available for feedback Video available for feedback Video available for revision Video available for revision No time consuming writing of formal report No time consuming writing of formal report Highly interactive / assessment for learning Highly interactive / assessment for learning Popular with students Popular with students

Other applications Use of Observer software for recording behaviours in ethology research projects Animation as storytelling using Digital Blue