Sciences and Technology Completed Projects

2007

eLearning for extramural practical placements in abattoirs
In order for Veterinary Science graduates to be accredited to practice internationally, students must spend five days in abattoirs supervised by veterinarians who are employed by the Australian Quarantine and InspectioService as on-plant veterinarians. This project involves the preparation of four online modules that assist students to maximize their learning experience during the five days abattoirs placement. The design of the online modules incorporated a range of media and facilitated blended learning through face-to-face teaching at Camperdown and Camden, as well as independent student learning.

eLearning for the preparation of undergraduate veterinary students to undertake extramural practical placements in abattoirs
The development of this resource continued in Semester 2 and 2008.

Fostering skills-based learning in Bioethics: Incorporating inquiry-based learning
As part of postgraduate program in Bioethics, students develop key skills related to bioethics and clinical ethics, including ethical sensitivity, clinical ethical reasoning, argumentation, critical analysis, mediation and communication. This project involved the creation of online inquiry-based resources that facilitated active learning and assessment of student learning of a wide range of issues in bioethics and clinical ethics by students with diverse needs and expertise. This project ran through both semesters in 2007.

eLearning Tools in Mechanics: eMechanics
An elearning tool was developed for Aeromechanic and Civil Engineering students which enables them to better understand mechanics principles, foster their interests and develop an integrated knowledge structure in Engineering. Specifically, the elearning tool contains: mechanics experiments for lectures and individual study; mechanics problem-solving exercises that require students to practise skills in different environments; activities in which students apply mechanics principles to engineering practice; and projects that reinforce the interconnection between several different levels of mechanics units of study within the Faculty of Engineering.

This project developed a University LMS (CE6) site for mechanics experiments for lecturing and student learning. The web site is made up of:
eSolutions: interactive demonstrations and questions so students can better understand the effect of parameters on mechanical responses; and
eExperiments: prototypes of dynamically visualised modules to “animate” mechanics experiments.

A further outcome of the project has been the professional development of the three academics in this project who improved their educational design skills for online learning and teaching.

The development of interactive elearning patient case studies
This project enhanced the Human Nutrition Unit teaching clinic with the development of interactive problem-based elearning patient case studies. These focus on particular clinical diagnostic patient problems with created but similar to real-life patient scenarios supported by clinical patient information, eg biomedical results, patient medical history, nutrition history and social history. The elearning case studies focus on teaching patient nutritional assessment, nutritional diagnosis, clinical decision-making and patient education skills, and clinical documentation skills. The aim of the case studies is to facilitate peer learning to encourage students to take a deep approach to learning. This project was a full year project in 2007. The case studies include the use of an interactive activity developed using javascript.

Reading in Biology (Sem 1)
Students often struggle in reading research papers to find specific information, summarise the main idea and understand how the text relates to tables and graphs. Many students have difficulty deciding whether a text is relevant to their unit of study assessment and therefore worth reading. This project involved the development of an online module for all First Year Biology students to help them develop their skills in reading research papers. The online module is integrated into the curriculum and based on course texts, and is used by students outside class.

Reading in Biology: Pilot (Sem 2)
The pilot of an online module was developed for all first year Biology students, to help them develop their skills in reading research papers. The pilot contains the first part of an online tutorial with explanations, examples and practice activities of core academic reading skills that are relevant to reading research papers in Biology.

The online module serves as a model for other Schools in the Faculty of Science who have expressed a need to assist students with their reading skills.

Image manipulation and presentation: Placing scale-bars
The project involved creating a two-part e-learning exercise: a) an interactive tutorial that teaches the principles behind scaling in microscopy (as determined by the magnification of images, calibration of microscopes using objects of known sizes, calculations to obtain pixel numbers and illustration of scale bars in images) and practical knowledge on the construction and use of scale bars; and b) a tool which allows the uploading of images taken by students, placement of scale bars and saving/printing the images for a portfolio.

The tool was developed to outline the principles behind scaling in microscopy as determined by the magnification of the images and calibration of microscopes. This was done by using objects of known sizes and calculations to obtain pixel numbers and the illustration of scale bars in images.

Spotlight redevelopment
An additional theme was incorporated during semester 2.

Engineering & Architecture eLearning report
A report was commissioned by the Faculty of Engineering and IT and the Faculty of Architecture to create a snapshot of elearning use across the different schools in the faculties.

PBL in the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (FAFNR)
The project involved online support for the development of PBL (Problem-based Learning) in the faculty.

3D Visualisation in senior chemistry
A range of 3D visualization tools was researched and tested. A preferred software (Jmol) was agreed on as most suitable for the purpose.

VETS Academic Honesty
An additional module was added to the site.

2006 Projects

A web-based astrophysics eLearning tool
In this project Sydney eLearning investigated software for data visualization which would improve students' understanding of one particularly important concept in Astrophysics, radiative energy transport.

Chemistry Pre-laboratory work delivered via the LMS
We converted the existing pre-laboratory work application to run through the University's LMS (WebCT4). This provided students with a 'one-stop-shop' for all Chemistry 1 resources with just one secure log on and capture of quiz results. This was the second phase of a semester 2 2005 project and has focussed on the development of semester 2 units of study.

Development of online teaching resources to aid problem-based learning
We assisted the School of Chemical Engineering to provide an integrated framework for improved web-based resources and coherence between units of study for problem based learning.

ENVI2111 field study online
This project involved the development of a field trip web site that supports learning during student visits to the School of Biological Sciences field study site on the Central Coast. The web site provides information about the theory and practice of data collection using information from existing sites or specifically created for students, and includes images, instructions, software tutorials and data from previous trips. A feature of the web site is an extensive digital image gallery which includes fact sheets and, where relevant, sound files of the flora and fauna that can be found at the field study site.

ICT role-based training program for CST staff
We have developed a framework for a role-based training program covering e-learning skills for teaching and teaching support staff in Sciences and Technology. The aim of the project was to connect elearning roles with elearning skills and elearning training courses for staff.

Improving student writing in the Faculty of Science
Sydney eLearning conducted a needs analysis of disciplines in the Faculty requiring online resources to assist students develop their writing skills, together with an audit of the University's existing online writing skills resources.

Animal Health Economics
We developed online resources for a postgraduate animal health economics course. This included online formative assessment activities, and online learning and teaching materials for a topic found to be challenging by students.

Fostering skills-based learning in bioethics
This project has developed web-based modules to improve learning through the use of tasks that develop key skills related to Bioethics, including argumentation, critical analysis and communication, as well as specialised practical skills. The modules were developed for nine units of study in the new Bioethics Postgraduate Program offered jointly by the Unit for History and Philosophy of Science (HPS, Faculty of Science) and the Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine (VELiM, Faculty of Medicine). The online modules support a blended learning approach to the Program, in which some units are taught principally by distance while others are taught on-campus. This project was extended in 2007 with the incorporation of inquiry-based components in three of the online modules.

Sciences and Technology Spotlight
The Sciences and Technology Spotlight is a website which showcases good practice examples of online learning and teaching. The examples are taken primarily from Sciences and Technology and organised around topical themes of learning and teaching, with a focus on elearning. The development of the website is ongoing and each theme is developed during a separate project period. Each theme on the website showcases a number of examples of the theme, background information about each example (based on an interview with the staff member who developed it) and for some examples, links to relevant publications. During semester 2 2006, the focus was on the teaching of writing, especially the provision of marking and feedback to large numbers of students. Additional work was also undertaken on the 2005 theme of formative assessment and development of a promotional bookmark.

EngSpace
Additional work was undertaken on EngSpace (formerly The Dome). The Dome was the 2005 funded TIF project. A library of information in cyberspace, which developed a web site that encouraged deep learning among engineering students. In 2005 Sydney eLearning assisted in the development of an innovative framework for the web site, which included instructional and interactive practice material. This project addendum focussed on the development of additional audio and video material for the site, as well as new explanations and examples of fundamental structural engineering concepts.

Engineering games
This project developed a set of innovative engineering games using a series of cutting-edge Flash animations. It supported the delivery of the 2006 TIF-funded project Engineering games and aims to help students practise fundamental engineering concepts using a series of interactive, online learning tasks. The resulting online resource enables students to write a series of calculations about the forces acting upon a number of structural engineering designs, and includes extensive explanations in feedback and hints. The resource is delivered to students via the product of another Sydney eLearning project: EngSpace.

Online student evaluations
An online evaluation system was developed to obtain student feedback on courses offered by the Centre for English Teaching (CET). Most CET courses equip prospective international university students with the English skills required to successfully undertake tertiary level study in their chosen areas. The online evaluation system enables CET to use the perceptions of these international students to increase service levels and to improve methods of course delivery and materials. It also allows greater efficiency and flexibility in collating, analysing and reporting data, and provides students with a more efficient and anonymous means of expressing their views and preferences.

eLearning model for engineering students’ self-learning: Enhancing automated practice activities for fluid mechanics (final phase)
This addendum to the original project involved the redevelopment of the automatic practice activities for CIVL3612 to improve student learning using this innovative resource. Specifically, it aims at enhancing student learning through the incorporation of detailed feedback for correct and incorrect answers, as well as hints. The feedback has been personalised in that it changes according to the number of attempts the student has made to answer the question.

Podcasting pilot project (phase one)
There is a great potential for the use of podcasting within educational institutions such as reviewing lectures both audio and images (recorded via Camtasia), pre-class preparation and study aids for assessment. Understanding how podcasting can be used to enhance students’ learning experiences is important to the successful integration of this type of approach to learning and teaching. This research pilot seeks to develop a better understanding of how podcasting can be used to enhance learning, especially in student-centred learning. We will profile the various types of students and their uses of podcasting (e.g. revision, NESB, hearing impaired, replacement of lectures due to working).

Academic Honesty
This project enabled the adaptation of the second version of the Academic Honesty online module (developed by the Faculty of Economics and Business to improve student perceptions of equity) from Blackboard to another LMS (CE6). The module addresses several issues with which students transitioning to University have problems: the correct referencing style for the discipline, what constitutes plagiarism, acceptable cooperation in group work and Faculty policy on special consideration. The project included the contextualisation of the content of the two degrees offered within the Faculty of Veterinary Science: BVSc and BAVBSc. In a variety of educational design techniques were used to add interest and interactivity.

Faculty of Veterinary Science online teaching tutorial
The Faculty of Veterinary Science Online Teaching Tutorial is a resource that is heavily used in training external tutors in teaching online and by distance. The tutorial is also used for training for internal teachers to develop their skills in teaching online. This project involved modifying the Tutorial to reflect teaching in the new version of the university LMS (CE6). Multimedia components were added to the Tutorial to enhance learning.

Online learning resources in advanced animal genetics
The project involved training staff of the Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Public Health Management (VPHMgt) to develop online presentations which demonstrate computer software for simulations in Animal Genetics. The presentations are narrated and animated screen shows demonstrating how to use the simulation software relevant to the course, complete with cursor movements, available to students from a university LMS (CE6) site.

Chemical Engineering
This project developed web-based resources for two units of study in Chemical Engineering. This provided a coherent, integrated framework for improved web-based resources and problem-based learning in Chemical Engineering units of study based on engineering practice. It followed the development of online problem-based learning resources for the Department of Chemical Engineering in semester 1 2006.

2005 Projects

Self-learning in Engineering
This project covered various units of study in Electrical and Civil Engineering. It established an elearning model to provide students with a self-learning environment to enhance their preliminary knowledge through online practice materials. One of the highlights of this project was the development of online automated practice activities for 2nd and 3rd year Fluid Mechanics students. These students need practice applying formulas to real situations and need to be able to see what happens when the parameters of a question change. Problems were created in Excel with VBA code so students could work on them repeatedly and get feedback. Based on work in the Faculty of Economics and Business (Freeman and Blayney, 2005).

The Dome
A framework was developed for an online visual library of information, incorporating instructional and interactive practice material, videos and animations. The Dome will assist students master fundamental engineering concepts, enabling them to better understand the material in their units of study. It is envisaged that academics and students will contribute to The Dome – the framework is scalable, allowing its contents to be expanded to cover all engineering disciplines.

Development of online components of third year Psychology units of study
Online units of study with a coherent set of resources were developed to support a large and diverse cohort of students in third year Psychology, as well as some fourth year units. As a result of this project and the project with second year Psychology, all Psychology units of study now have an online component.

LLE web site collaboration between Science (IT), FAFNR, Engineering and Veterinary Science
This project was a development from a successful Faculty of Science student-friendly web site Lifelong earning which encourages students to take responsibility for the development of the attributes and skills valued by employers. The project expanded the LLE website so that is contextualized for graduates from IT (Faculty of Science), Agriculture (FAFNR), Engineering and Veterinary Science, and to incorporated dynamic, interactive material.

Redevelopment of Project Management Graduate Programme elective online units
The online PMGP elective UoS (developed as a 2004 Sydney eLearning support project), have been redeveloped in line with the new template for core courses. The new sites have improved usability, navigability, consistency, coherency and accessibility, as well as faster download times.

Spotlight on online practice activities
This is the first stage in the development of a website which showcases good practice examples of elearning. Examples in the site have been taken from the disciplines of the sciences and technology and have focussed on online formative assessment. Each best practice example incorporates background information to enable staff to adapt the examples to their own online learning and teaching situation.

Chemistry pre-laboratory work delivered via the LMS (WebCT 4)
Phase one of the First Year Chemistry online pre-lab course material and activities were redeveloped in the university's LMS. Phase two of this project is being undertaken in semester 1 2006. This material is used in all 13 junior Chemistry units of study, for a range of programs across the University.

eLearning sites for new Animal & Veterinary Bioscience Degree
The Faculties of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (FAFNR) and Veterinary Science were assisted in the development of online units of study for the Animal Biosciences Degree. Online materials include image and film repositories, library resources, case-based approaches and practice activities. This project assisted FAFNR with its cultural shift to the University’s learning management system and increased the uptake of elearning in the Faculty.

HBOnline
Developed for Advanced Human Biology, this project has broken new ground for First Year Biology. It has re-engineered existing legacy materials and integrated them with online textbook resources within the university's LMS, to provide students with a stimulating learning experience which includes a range of different practice activities and case-based learning.

Structures Tutor in Architecture
The structures component of Architecture now has templates for the development of online practice activities, produced using a little-known software called Question Tools. Activities developed using Question Tools can incorporate hints and allow students to make multiple attempts.

2004 Projects

Still Images in eLearning (joint Health Sciences & Sciences and Technology project)
This joint project developed, and tested user-friendly protocols and templates for seamless use of still images stored both locally and centrally within learning management systems (LMS) environments (and by extension other systems compliant with appropriate standards). Staff development sessions (group workshops, and online help resources) were run on the use of still images in effective teaching and learning.

eLearning Audit
An audit was conducted into the use of elearning in the Faculties of Agriculture (FAFNR), Architecture, Engineering, Sciences and Technology, and Veterinary Science.

Development of online components for 2nd year Psychology UoS
All 2nd year Psychology units of study now have university LMS sites. A strategic outcome has been the appointment of an online tutor to monitor the online discussion board for the 600 2nd year students. The role involves enhancing and extending tutorial discussions online, as well as answering students’ questions and redirecting queries to staff when appropriate.

Redevelopment of Project Management Graduate Program core online units
All core units of study of this internationally award-winning online postgraduate course were redeveloped using best practice in educational design and a clear, consistent look-and-feel.

Lifelong Earning
This very small project is related to the Faculty’s developments of innovative resources for the use of all students. The project to develop the web site was funded by a University TIF grant through the College of Sciences and Technology and it addresses comments made in the Academic Board Reviews of the Faculty about providing students with the opportunities to understand about generic attributes and to self-assess the development of them. The project is grounded in a philosophy that it is the students’ responsibilities to both develop life long learning skills and to understand how to use them. The project is grounded in a philosophy that it is the students’ responsibilities to both develop life long learning skills and to understand how they can use them in the wider context of their professional life. www.lifelongearning.science.usyd.edu.au was launched mid-2004 as part of a dissemination process to students in Semester 2. Part of the project was to provide assistance in promoting the web site, which has since become a 2005 strategic elearning project in order to extend its applicability to students across the whole College.