Conference paper
Linking assessment and engagement: Curriculum redesign in a first year biology course
ALTC First Year Experience Curriculum Design Symposium 2009: FYE Showcase Abstracts, pp.135-138
First Year Experience (FYE) Curriculum Design Symposium, 2009 (Brisbane, Australia, 05-Feb-2009–06-Feb-2009)
Queensland University of Technology, Department of Teaching and Learning Support Services
2009
Abstract
Cell Biology is a science subject taught in the first year of several Bachelor programs at the University of the Sunshine Coast. A prerequisite subject for several advanced level subjects, Cell Biology is taught in the first semester to between 250 and 450 students. The subject has been problematic, with five different subject coordinators over the last ten years, and a diverse teaching staff with low teaching capacity. High failure rates (<35%), low student motivation and engagement and assessment primarily consisting of high stakes examinations (including mid-semester and practical examinations) were associated with the subject. In 2006, an internal Faculty review of the subject recommended: • incorporation of on-line learning management system, Blackboard (Bb) • tutorials to augment lectures and laboratory classes • stronger team teaching approach • concept-orientated curriculum • varied assessment tasks, linked to learning outcomes • new subject coordinator (1st author of this paper). A curriculum renewal project (based on a 2007 needs assessment) entailed design and implementation of new tutorials to provide meaningful learning experiences, and redevelopment of assessment to (a) increase engagement with students, (b) improve scheduling to reduce stress and provide information on progression, (c) improve guidance and (d) provide meaningful feedback.
Details
- Title
- Linking assessment and engagement: Curriculum redesign in a first year biology course
- Authors
- Ann L Parkinson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationLeigh Findlay (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationTania Aspland (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- ALTC First Year Experience Curriculum Design Symposium 2009: FYE Showcase Abstracts, pp.135-138
- Conference details
- First Year Experience (FYE) Curriculum Design Symposium, 2009 (Brisbane, Australia, 05-Feb-2009–06-Feb-2009)
- Publisher
- Queensland University of Technology, Department of Teaching and Learning Support Services
- Date published
- 2009
- ISBN
- 9781741072662
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2009 The Authors. This work is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Australia Licence. General permission to republish, but not for profit, all or part of this material is granted, under the Creative Commons Australian Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Licence, provided that the copyright notice is given and that reference is made to the publication, to its date of issue, and to the fact that reprinting privileges were granted by permission of the Copyright holder.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449668702621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
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