Newsletter No. 76

CUHK Newsletter No. 76 19th October1995 3 TowardsMultimedia Teaching Introducing TwoMoreProjectsFundedbyTeachingDevelopmentGrants As reported in the 74th issue of the CUHK Newsletter (19th September), a total of seven projects received Teaching Developments Grants in 1994-95. In this i s sue , we bring to readers details two of them to show how new technology can help improve the quality of teaching and learning. Development of Support-learning Multimedia Courseware for Use in Teaching Laboratory Courses in the Department of Biology (HK$ 77,000) Grant recipient: Dr. J. A. Buswell, Department of Biology Laboratory classes have always been important in the teaching of practical skills. Such classes have however always placed a heavy demand on the financial, personnel and space resources of the teaching department. There is also a growing awareness that traditional laboratory courses may not always be effective in terms of educational productivity and student motivation. As a result many academic institutions are now seeking to supplement them with multimedia-based teaching materials. Dr. Buswell's project represents the initial stage of a long-term programme to develop, produce, and implement multimedia courseware for the teaching of the biological sciences. It seeks to prepare a sample of an appropriate multimedia package using material that Dr. Buswell himself designed as well as selections frommaterial currently adopted by major overseas educational institutions, especially those with strong teaching programmes in biology and related disciplines. An integral part of the project is the establishment of a link with the Bio-informatics Research Group (BRG) of the University of Nottingham in England, which has been investigating the information storage and distribution potential of computer-driven multimedia technologies since 1984. The sample package will be introduced this term and evaluated by students, technical staff, and teachers. The multimedia package, as it is now, consists of two systems. The first, called 'EXAMINE', enables students to assess their understanding by answering questions on topics they have learnt. It has just been implemented in this year's General Microbiology course. Dr. Buswell said, 'There's a general reticence on the part of the students to ask questions. When I invite questions from students, they very rarely respond. I believe it will be helpful if we have a self-assessment system which students can use when they want to.' The second system, called 'The Knowledge Tree', is much more ambitious in scope as it will enable students to discuss a particular topic with one another through the computer, or even key in to experts in other parts of the world. Dr. Buswell says he has yet to make arrangements with the Computer Services Centre about how to set up this system. Its implementation moreover depends very much on whether additional funding will be made available. Dr. Buswell hopes the exercises will bring about increased student involvement in the practical side of biology courses, a reduction in the number of traditional laboratory classes, better trained graduates, and a long-term link with the BRG. A Pilot Project on Computer-aided Teaching in Biochemistry (HK$ 195,500) Grant recipient: Prof. C. Y. Lee, Department of Biochemistry With the advent of CD-ROM technology, more and more computer-aided self-help learning programmes are beginning to appear in Hong Kong. However, most of the existing programmes produced commercially are for social science or arts subjects. Software for the natural sciences remains relatively rare. Prof. C. Y. Lee's project has been designed to fill this gap. He believes that computer graphics are particularly useful in the teaching of biochemistry which studies the interaction between macro- molecules. 'The traditional didactic approach to teaching is fine, but we also have to take into account that students vary in background and capability,' says Prof. Lee. 'As teachers we need to help them learn at their own time, and pace, and in the space of their choice. Our project seeks to improve teaching and enhance learning efficacy.' The project is expected to produce, by February 1996, computer-aided self- help tutorial materials covering eight basic topics in biochemistry. Concepts related to these topics are explained and then questions about their various aspects asked. The computer w i ll indicate whether an answer is correct and in the case of incorrect answers, students can opt to retry or be given an explanation. By giving immediate feedback, the courseware enables students to know quickly how much they have learnt from textbooks and lectures. Teachers can also retrieve and analyse students' scores to find out major weaknesses in understanding and, if necessary, adjust their teaching accordingly. Apart from tutorial materials, computer-aided teaching materials covering introductory topics relating to biomolecules will also be produced. This courseware will combine texts, sound, graphics (including three-dimensional display of molecular structures), and video scripts, to increase student interest and facilitate understanding. Such teaching materials can be applied, after slight modifications, to studies in medicine, environmental and food sciences. In their endeavours, colleagues at the Biochemistry Department are given advice by the staff of the Computer Services Centre on courseware development, setting up of the database, creation of computer graphics, and other technicalities. Right now the courseware materials are available on hard disk only, and will probably remain so for the length of the project. Prof. Lee however hopes that ultimately they will be available on CD-ROMs. The grant was received in March 1995 and has been used mainly for the procurement of computer software, electronic and computer equipment, and the hiring of student helpers. Piera Chen