Reflections on good teaching practice

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Reflections on good teaching practice

• Dawn Gleeson
• Department of Genetics
• University of Melbourne

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• What makes a good teacher?

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Engagement Excitement Enjoyment Enthusiasm
Energy Empathy Enlightenment
Empowerment
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Memories of Teachers

• Shorty Rowlands Bendigo HShe made science
  very visual and influenced the way I taught
• Mr Hall Shepparton HSturned me off physics
• Nelda Edmonson MLCpassionate about Biology
• Maggie Blackwoodgreat sense of fun and humorous

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My principal role/s

• Lectures in Genetics to
• first year students (1300)
• third year Human Genetics
• honours students
• Director of First Year Studies in Biology

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Challenges

• Large classes lecture groups of 500
• Diverse background with respect to Biology
• Diverse range of reasons for studying Biology

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Engagement Excitement Enjoyment Enthusiasm
Energy Empathy Enlightenment
Empowerment
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Student engagement Connecting students to the
institution

• The literature tells us that those students who
  have a sense of belonging have a better chance
  of academic success

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Student engagement

• A Transition Program Science 101

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Aims of Science 101

• To provide students who are new to University
  with a set of basic skills with which to tackle
  first year science subjects
• To create links for first year students to fellow
  students and members of staff within the Faculty
• To facilitate progress to second year Science
• To familiarise students with the services
  available to them

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• Science 101
• Workshops

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• Science 101
• Study groups

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• Science 101
• Study groups

Postgraduate facilitator
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Student engagement
Student engagement
The Biology Learning Centre
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Student engagement

• The Biology Learning Centre
• Provides a forum for staff/student interaction
• extra assistance
• provides access to supplementary resources
• facilitates students' meetings with peers
• encourages a sense of a learning community

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The Web and E-mail http//www.biology.unimelb.ed
u.au/
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Subject Specific Pages
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Student engagement Regular email newsletter from
the coordinator
Hi Students, A couple of notices to reinforce
what I mention in the lectures. Next week's prac
session On page 39 of your lab manuals you will
notice that next week's prac is SELF DIRECTED.
This means you are required to complete it in
your scheduled prac time on your own. We have
allowed 90 minutes for each of you at a
computer Please stick to the times, unless you
can arrange a swap. There are other classes using
the computers so we cannot guarantee access at
other times during next week. Extra Tutorials
Anyone seeking help is. Hope you are keeping
up with the problems etc., It will make your
revision so much easier later. regards, Dawn
Hi Students, A few notices to assist you in your
revision for the examinations. Interactive
sample exam questions This is now on the web.
There are 2 formats. A pdf file you can print and
the version with which you can interact and get
the answers. Many students print up a copy of the
exam from the pdf file and take it away, try the
questions before attacking the interactive
version where you will find out the correct
answers and why the others are incorrect Revi
sion sessions and swot vac program These are up
on the web - the link is in the top right
corner.. Movies from Genetics lectures There is
a folder of these on the desktop at the end of
the centre bench closest to the door in level 3
Computer room. You can run through them again if
you think they might be helpful I look forward
to giving the last 6 lectures from
Monday. Regards, Dawn
Hi Students and a very big welcome to Biology! I
will periodically send you newsletters to keep
you in touch with what is happening in Biology.
For those who missed the Orientation Lecture
the presentation is on the Biology website in top
right corner of the Homepage. http//www.biology.u
nimelb.edu.au/ NEXT WEEK Preparation for pracs
and tutes Are you prepared for prac next week?
Your seat numbers for the practical class will be
available on the level 4 noticeboard if enrolled
in 600141 or 202103 and level 3 noticeboard for
600131 Biomed from . I hope, if you are new
to Uni, you are enjoying your first week here. It
is a bit chaotic with all the queues and trying
to sort out classes etc., Next week will be a
little less frantic. Enjoy Biology,, regards,
Dawn

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Student excitement and enjoyment
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Student Excitement

• Be passionate about the subject
• Know the background of the group
• Build on the familiar
• Relate the topic to something about themselves or
  in the news
• Introduce the new research in the field
• Use humour to lighten a topic

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How to make the most of genetics

• Computer programs
• Mitosis and meiosis
• Genetics
• Genetics and Gene Manipulation
• Interactive exam questions

lectures
email problems
extra problems on the web
practicals
tutorials
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Student Excitement

• Be passionate about Genetics
• Know the background of the group
• Build on the familiar
• Relate the topic to something about themselves or
  in the news
• Introduce the new research in the field
• Use humour to lighten a topic

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Contact with schools

• Examiner
• Workshops for
• final year biology students (3700 in 2004)
• school groups
• gifted students years 7 -10
• Casual conversations with teachers,
  metropolitan and regional
• Visits to Singapore and KL

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Student Excitement

• Know the background of the group
• Be passionate about Genetics
• Build on the familiar
• Relate the topic to something about themselves or
  in the news
• Introduce the new research in the field
• Use humour to lighten a topic

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The newspaper
Accuseds hair found with murdered UK
schoolgirls clothes, court told Kate
Holton London Police found the clothes..(The
Age 8/11/03)
Selection Belgian Blue
Evolutions greatest advocate did it, so why all
the fuss over kissing cousins? Elisabeth
King The subject of marriage between first
cousins. (The Age 27/5/02)
GM crops grounded for a year By Danny
Butler Victoria has turned its back. (Herald Sun
9/05/03)
Mouse gene may lead to a cure for spina bifida
Amanda Dunn Melbourne researchers have
discovered in mice a gene.. (The Age 11/11/03)
Gene trial gives hope for cure to
HaemophiliaDeborah Smith Two men have
become. (The Age 10/05/03)
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Student excitement and enjoyment

• Know the background of the group
• Build on the familiar
• Relate the topic to something about themselves or
  in the news
• Introduce the new research in the field
• Use humour to lighten a topic

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Student excitement and enjoyment

• Know the background of the group
• Build on the familiar
• Relate the topic to something about themselves or
  in the news
• Introduce the new research in the field
• Use humour to lighten a topic

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Engagement Excitement Enjoyment Enthusiasm
Energy Empathy Enlightenment
Empowerment
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Enthusiasm Energy and Empathy

• Always be enthusiastic about your course
• Be energetic - show the group that you work hard
  and that is your expectation of them
• Show you understand their situation

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Empowerment

• Different learning expectations
• development of a community of engaged independent
  learners
• preparation for life-long learning

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The basic problem for us is how, with a
population of only 20 million, we are to compete
in this new world. The answer is clearly that we
must develop the potential of every citizen to
the full. We cannot afford to waste a single
human being. The process starts with education.
Peter Doherty, The Age 13/11/03 It is long
past time that university teaching was accorded a
status equal to that of research Brendan
Nelson AUTC awards presentation address 2/12/03
, The Australian 3/12/03