Abstract
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University has announced that all classes will be conducted online in the 2020-21 academic year until such time as the pandemic stabilizes. CMBI4001/LSCI5601 Protein Trafficking is a one-credit double-coded course designed for senior undergraduate Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) students as well as Year 1 or 2 postgraduate students of School of Life Sciences (SLS). For the first time, the Principal Supervisor of the project will deliver the whole course in an online mode via Zoom (an online communication program).
As students are more used to traditional face-to-face learning, we understand that there will be great impacts in learning when it comes to a fully online teaching mode. In this project, we will develop an integrated/interactive Zoom eLearning, discussion and assessment platform for CMB4001/LSCI5601 with the following simulating components to help students to adapt to this new teaching mode:
1. Complement with a KEEP Online Platform
2. Discussion Time in Every Lecture
3. In-Class Quizzes
4. Presentations and Discussions
To better assist professor’s online teaching, interaction and discussions via ZOOM, we will hire a teaching assistant who will be in charge of the technical handlings and settings of the Zoom, as well as announcement and communication with students. All Zoom lectures in this semester will be recorded and the videos will be further edited for future use in eLearning with a set of online questions.
With these innovative approaches, we aim to better engage students in eLearning with high attendance rates, real time presentations and discussions, sufficient interaction and attention in class, striving for students’ performance that is comparable to traditional face to face teaching.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
In this project, we aimed to develop an integrated/interactive Zoom eLearning, discussion and assessment platform for CMBI4001/LSCI5601 “Protein Trafficking” with the following simulating components to help students (both UGs and RPGs) to adapt to this new teaching mode and to be better engage in the eLearning: (1) Complement with a KEEP (CU eLearning platform) Online Platform; (2) Discussion Time in Every Lecture; (3) In-Class Quiz; and (4) Presentations and Discussions.
Activities, process and outcomes
From September to October 2020, the Principal Supervisor (PS) has delivered 4 Zoom lectures. The Zoom lectures were supplemented with our previous developed flipped classroom on the KEEP Platform. The PS has also incorporated discussion session and in-class quiz in the Zoom lectures. Students were asked to present on specific topics by sharing their own PowerPoints on Zoom.
Deliverables and evaluation
The 4 Zoom lectures were recorded and developed into teaching videos. The videos were uploaded to the KEEP Platform of the course CMBI4001/LSCI5601 “Protein Trafficking” timely for student to revise the lecture contents.
The Zoom lectures resulted in a 100% attendance rate and good engagement of the students in the lecture discussion.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
We have shared our experience in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Expo jointly organized by the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR) and Information Technology Services Centre (ITSC) in July 2021.
Impact on teaching and learning
During the pandemic and the sudden switch to a new mode of Zoom teaching, we are glad to see that our lectures delivered via Zoom maintain high quality that is comparable to face-to-face lectures. We believed that our project has address student learning needs and adopt innovative pedagogies for continuous teaching enhancement, which support the University Themes and fulfill the institutional strategic plan.
