Tablet PCs as a catalyst to pedagogical innovation: a case study in microbiology
Paper
Paper/Presentation Title | Tablet PCs as a catalyst to pedagogical innovation: a case study in microbiology |
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Presentation Type | Paper |
Authors | |
Author | McCabe, Bernadette K. |
Journal or Proceedings Title | Proceedings of the 5th International iPED Conference (iPED 2010) |
Number of Pages | 2 |
Year | 2010 |
Place of Publication | Coventry, United Kingdom |
ISBN | 9781846000362 |
Web Address (URL) of Paper | http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet/iped2010/Pages/IPED2010.aspx |
Conference/Event | 5th International Inquiring Pedagogies Conference: Conceptualising Impact: Exploring the Effectiveness of Practice Through Pedagogic Research (iPED 2010) |
Event Details | 5th International Inquiring Pedagogies Conference: Conceptualising Impact: Exploring the Effectiveness of Practice Through Pedagogic Research (iPED 2010) Event Date 15 to end of 16 Sep 2010 Event Location Coventry, United Kingdom |
Abstract | [Abstract]: Over the last four years I have used Tablet PC technology predominately in teaching chemistry and biochemistry. This has proven to be a very valuable tool in these disciplines, particularly where the teaching is a dynamic process (eg illustrating chemical equations and metabolic pathways). I also utilised the Tablet PC in teaching microbiology albeit to a lesser extent and was inclined only to highlight main points. Concepts maps and flow charts are a key feature in my teaching approach in microbiology, and, although I had used these two visual strategies for a number of years using the whiteboard, it wasn’t until I had used Tablet PC technology in other disciplines that I started to reflect on how best I could use the technology in microbiology. According to Sandholtz, Ringstaff and Dwyer (1997) there is an evolution of thought and practice during the process of change that educators undergo with integration of technology. Tablet PC incorporates elements of traditional white-board teaching and PowerPoint presentation where tools of both old (pen and paper) and new (computer software) are combined. Therefore, incorporating Tablet PC in the instruction of concept maps and flowcharts in microbiology was a natural progression and exemplified how technology can be an impetus for new teaching practices. The ability to annotate and produce screen casts enabled me to promote the use of flow charts and concept maps amongst students by providing the support in terms of visual display and consequently gave students more confidence in constructing them. This paper documents how my pedagogical approaches in teaching an introductory microbiology class has evolved and how the use of Tablet PC has been the mechanism by which innovative practice has emerged over time. It outlines the progressive change in the use of concept maps from teacher-centred ‘chalk and talk’ generated concept maps and flow charts to a more constructivist approach where students now generate their own maps through the aid of Tablet PC instruction. The combination of live audio and screen recordings using Camtasia recording software has produced a more dynamic approach to the construction of concepts maps and gives students another dimension to the interrelatedness of concepts which is not as easily afforded by traditional static concept maps on power point slides. This presentation will detail the role that Tablet PCs have played in designing innovative approaches, highlighting how pedagogical methods have evolved from previously taught concept map and flow chart exercises in an introductory microbiology class. |
Keywords | tablet PC technology; microbiology |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390113. Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | Department of Biological and Physical Sciences |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q087w/tablet-pcs-as-a-catalyst-to-pedagogical-innovation-a-case-study-in-microbiology
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