Abstract
Students have been learning invertebrate biodiversity in the laboratory by observing real specimens. As students are not allowed to get into the laboratory now to do the same, a digital collection of selected specimens, with zoom-in and zoom-out pictures showing various features with study interests are essential for students to study from home.
Apart from making a digital collection of selected specimens, student helpers (main target: students who have taken the course before and students who are to take it) will be preparing learning modules with learning materials, plus learning tasks and assessments, to enhance the whole learning experience of the learners. Student helpers will have the chance to enhance their knowledge in the subject as well as demonstrate their creativity during the production process.
The deliverables can be in the form of webpages/mobile apps or any other feasible forms, depending on the expertise of the student helpers recruited. Evaluation will be done and experience gained will be shared among interested parties.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
1. To make a digital collection of selected invertebrate specimens.
2. To prepare learning modules with learning materials and self-assessment tasks.
3. To allow student helpers to enhance their knowledge in the subject as well as demonstrate their creativity during the production process.
Activities, process and outcomes
Four undergraduate students were recruited in summer 2020 to build an educational website for learners to learn about invertebrate diversity. The site was prepared and rolled out to all students and teaching assistants of BIOL3012 “Biodiversity Laboratory I” in 2020-21 Term 1 to help them self-learn and get prepared for class. End-users’ feedback was collected through online survey and focus group discussions. Most visitors found the site useful as learners can now study selected specimens away from the lab anytime, anywhere. Our student co-creators have enhanced their subject knowledge, and had become more capable in communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving.
Deliverables and evaluation
A website with 8 learning modules on invertebrate diversity was created and hosted on our School server. Altogether, we have >50 student-written texts, ~65 selected videos, ~50 links to other reference pages, information on >100 invertebrate members, hundreds of slides about our specimens, and >180 self-assessment items. About 78% of the respondents had visited the site and most of them found it useful.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
Our work was presented in the “Teaching and Learning Innovation Expo 2021” jointly organised by CLEAR (Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research), ELITE (Centre for eLearning Innovation and Technology) and ITSC (Information Technology Services Centre) of CUHK.
Impact on teaching and learning
Students can now study the invertebrate specimens with annotated photos anytime, anywhere, even when they cannot come back to the lab. The website created provided valuable resources for them to self-learn and better get themselves prepared before class. Around 96% and 87% of the student visitors agreed that the site was useful and had facilitated their learning.
