eLearning
Our eLearning resources support and enhance our undergraduate modules. Applying technology to the delivery of our modules means we can replace workbooks with flexible, interactive learning. Much more enjoyable!
We implement a broad range of eLearning tools across our modules, including:
Life Sciences students have access to over 200 PCs in dedicated clusters within the Faculty. eLearning in
the Faculty is supported by a dedicated team alongside the IT Service Desk to assist our undergraduates with any enquiries about our eLearning. eLearning has an increasing role in the providing the underlying support to your studies.
Faculty online support
Life Sciences students have their own Blackboard areas to support them during their course of study and a dedicated personal intranet space.
Blackboard is the University’s supported virtual learning environment for the delivery of eLearning. It provides learning resources on demand when students need them. These resources include lecture notes, discussion boards, live classrooms, assessments, lecture podcasts and many other activities to assist your studies.
+ / - View a typical Blackboard module
Life Sciences also provide online support for students beyond the University's eLearning system through its intranet. The intranet provides secure, personalised access to information from your assessment marks, details of your study modules, and support for communications with your tutor groups and a wide variety of essential information.
Distance Learning Modules
We have been developing links with other Institutions to give our students exposure to different courses offered by other
universities. One such link is with Stony Brook University, Long Island, USA. There are videoed lectures, downloadable charts and animations, weekly e-quizzes and an interactive discussion board plus access to past examination papers.
This distance learning course allows our students to meet and actively discuss topics with American students taking the same course. We have additional video conference links with the tutors to facilitate feedback sessions and providing virtual lectures created from the discussion postings from the current topics.
The Biology of Being Human (the resource)
+ / - View a sample distance learning module
Electronic Problem Based Learning (ePBL)
This type of "blended learning" approach is used in most first year and a number of second year modules. The ePBLs (electronic problem based learning) present learning materials and series of questions at several intervals during the module. Most ePBLs are designed to compliment the learning material presented in the lectures and are awarded credits to contribute to your overall exam marks. Each module may contain a learning task, instructions to complete the task, assessment and constructive feedback to steer the student to find the right answer. Some modules can have links to additional support materials through an additional module which is activated if they don’t acquire a high enough score from the assessment.
Game-based Learning
Interactive gaming scenarios tailor-built to support learning in a specific module. Difficult concepts are wrapped up in a creative and entertaining resource. Participants need to apply their skills to solving puzzles and answering questions, aiding understanding and memorisation.
+ / - View a sample game-based learning module
Student interaction
Interaction during lectures has been found to be a very effective way to learn as it challenges knowledge and thought processes, checks understanding, encourages peer discussion, and promotes participation in directing the learning.
Interactive voting handsets – We have a large number of interactive voting pads that allow student interaction during lectures, practical sessions, or out on field courses. Student interaction within sessions enables academics to tailor information specifically to the students and enhances learning. The voting equipment can be used to ask quick questions, gauge opinions, take surveys, or perform assessments, and voting can be anonymous or registered.
Personal devices – As a development to the interactive voting handsets, it is possible for students to vote using laptops, PDAs, iPhones, web-enabled phones, or any other internet-enabled handsets (e.g. iPod touch). Any of these can be used in the same session as handsets, so it is personal choice to use a voting handset or personal device.
Text voting – An alternative to web and voting handset based voting is voting by text message and can be done from any phone that can send a standard text message.