BTech+Biomedical+Technology+IV

=Project information=


 * Project title: || Molecula Biology IV ||
 * Project owner: || Sehaam Khan ||
 * Collaborators: ||  ||
 * Department: || Biomedical Sciences ||
 * Course title: || From classroom to home ||
 * Course level: || BTech ||
 * Number of students: || 36 ||

=Project design= Aim: 1. Simplify Molecular Biology 2. Repeat concepts 3. From classroom to home

Method: 1. Record concepts covered within the classroom. 2. Edit the recordings such that we have titled segments 3. Upload the segments. 4. Provide students with information pertaining to downloading podcasts. 5. Provide students with a training session re: downloading podcasts 6. Upload recorded questions about the segments (aid to check understanding) 7. Ask students to complete a questionnaire re: the usefullness of podcasts... frequency of use... suggestions to improve etc

Rationale for using podcasting / problems addressed with podcasting
Biomedical Technologists complete clinical subjects withint their ND: Biomedical Technology programme. For many years, techniques used within the lab have been conventional! Recently however, advanced molecular biology techniques are being implemented within the diagnostic labs. Bearing in mind that biomedical technology is a profession committed to continuous education, technologists who have been in the lab for many years, are realising the benefit of completing a BTech and being exposed to Molecular Biology (theory and practical). These group of students normally gradauted more than 10 years ago... so while they have years of laboratory experience, their foundation to biochemistry, cell biology and moelcular biology is not that good! Within the same classroom, we also have students who have recently qualified with a ND: Biomedical Technology diploma. They have been briefly exposed to biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology techniques. These students are often frustrated by the amount of time spent repeating concepts to the more qualified laboratory technologists.

The BTech programme is also offered in the evening (Bellville) or over weekends (contact distance teaching), most students thus have full-time jobs. Students are tired when attending an evening class or tired when listening to me for up to 8 hrs in one stretch. Students thus have a limited attention spam.

Having taught this subject for more than 10 years, I have realised that no matter the level of exposure to molecular biology prior to entering the class or level of alertness.. the subject content is hard to grasp in one session. Students have often said... that while they understand the concept in class... once they begin studying... they wish they had me with them! Yes, students wait till the last moment to study... they do not reflect prior to a test.. and thus never ask questions (or realise that they did not understand the concept) until they are studying. Podcasts will allow students to listen and repeat lectures and concepts until they are able to understand. Podcasts will also allow a FAQ forum. Also, older students who are not comfortable asking questions (for fear of showing ignorance) can listen to a podcast as many times as they want.

Ways of using podcasting in Teaching and Learning
I will record most lecturers of Molecular Biology. The subject is a year subject, so the idea is to record all lectures which deals with difficult essay type concepts.

Software and hardware used
how will you create your podcasts? where are planning to upload them? how do you expect will students listen to them? where will they download them to? what devices do they own?

Research questions
are there any specific research questions that you would like to investigate? when do you think is a good time for collecting data from your students?

Personal reflection
How do you feel about this project at the moment? Do you feel you got enough support? If no, what kind of additional support will you need?