Date:

Sunday 6 July 2008

Venue:

RMIT University City Campus

Time:

9.30am - 4.30pm

Workshop Registration Fee:

ASM Member - $30    Non Member - $33

(includes morning & afternoon tea; lunch is by own arrangement)

Innovative Teaching and Learning in Undergraduate Microbiology | 9.30am - 12.30pm

Convenor: Chris Burke

Degree Coordinator, National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability Australian Maritime College University of Tasmania; Convenor Education Special Interest Group of the ASM

Danilla Grando Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus

Improved Learning Outcomes using Digital Wet Laboratories

What are the current issues / problems with practical classes in laboratories? How can blending digital learning support with practical wet laboratories enhance learning? Come and see how theory can be translated into practice in the new digital wet-laboratories at RMIT University. This session includes lecture and hands-on experience in the laboratory.

Josie Lategan Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for Water & Environmental Resource Management, University of Technology Sydney, NSW

Student Engagement Activities in Large Microbiology Classes

The presentation describes an approach that engages large classes of microbiology students on time on task activities, in practical classes, lectures and online. The objective of the approach is getting students thinking, reflecting and communicating. Original examples deriving from the 2007 General Microbiology (225 students) subject at the University of Technology Sydney will be shown, together with the problems encountered and the subsequent solutions. An end-of-subject student survey reflects the preferences of students in their approach to learning.

Mark O'Brien & Christine Cox Microbiology Section, School of Life Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD

Promoting Critical Thinking Skills in a Context-Based Learning Environment in Diagnostic Microbiology

In each laboratory session of diagnostic bacteriology, groups of final year students are given case scenarios to work through that reinforce and challenge their fundamental knowledge and understanding of medical microbiology and critical-thinking skills in a step-wise fashion according to the infectious disease diagnosis pathway. As part of this active learning engagement, they compile a report form and in doing so not only sleuthe out the identity of the etiological agent, but provide recommendations for patient management and further follow-up. The whole learning process is predicated upon the close integration of lectures, laboratory classes and tutorials.

Julie Markham, C Hunt & M Moffitt School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney, NSW

Improving Conceptual Understanding Through On-Line Discussion: A case study

A number of strategies are currently being employed at UWS to improve students’ understanding of microbiological concepts.  Last semester we introduced on-line discussion groups into a second year unit in microbial physiology and genetics taught on multiple campuses by different staff.  Students, in groups of 4, were required to contribute regularly to the discussion board as one component of a group assignment.  The assignment was conducted in two stages with feedback provided after the first stage.  The aim was to encourage students to work collaboratively in the development of responses to assignment questions and to evaluate whether this resulted in an improvement in their understanding of the relevant concepts.  The impact of this approach on students’ performance and engagement in the unit, suggested amendments to the assignment based on feedback from staff and students and transferability of the approach to other units, will be discussed.

Value of Industry-Based Learning at Universities | 1.30pm - 4.30pm

Convenor: Kirsten Schliephake

School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Monash University Gippsland Campus, Churchill VIC

The workshop is intended to give an outline of different programs and initiatives to enhance industry-based learning at universities.

Academic supervisors from two universities (Monash and RMIT) will provide the background on their respective programs and students will give testimonials of their industry-based experience.

A workshop/brainstorm session is planned to develop ideas for engaging industry in undergraduate, graduate or Co-op education programs.

The aim is to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to develop creative strategies for communication, promotion and feedback.

School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Monash University Gippsland Campus, Churchill VIC

9.00am - 9.30am

Collect workshop name badge (from workshop)

9.30am - 10.30am

Danilla Grando

Improved Learning Outcomes using Digital Wet Laboratories

10.30am - 10.50am

Morning Tea (incl with registration)

10.50am - 11.30am

Josie Lategan

Engaging Students in Large Microbiology Classes

11.30am - 12.10pm

Mark O'Brien | Christine Cox

Promoting Critical Thinking in Context-Based Learning in Microbiology

Julie Markham

Improving Conceptual Understanding Through On-Line Discussion: A case study

12.20pm - 12.30pm

Chris Burke

Summary

12.30pm - 1.30pm

Lunch (own arrangements)

1.30pm - 2.00pm

Kirsten Schliephake

Overview of the Gippsland Campus Initiative on Industry-Based learning

2.00pm - 2.30pm

Patricia Newstead

Industry Placement at RMIT

2.30pm - 2.45pm

Ee Xiang Leong

An Honours Student’s Perspective of Industry Placement

2.45pm - 3.05pm

Afternoon Tea (incl with registration)

3.05pm - 3.20pm

Sarah Killury

A Co-op Student’s Perspective of Industry Placement

3.20pm - 4.20pm

Kirsten Schliephake

Overview and Brainstorming Session

4.20pm - 4.30pm

Chris Burke

Integrating and Disseminating Information to EDSIG Members