If you are interested in teaching, public engagement, outreach work, STEM activities, scientific communication, scientific journalism or other related roles, then this module will enable you to exercise your creativity in order to teach and engage others in the biosciences.
To begin with, you will study some of the key learning theories of the day and explore their effect on current practice of teaching life science. Using research from published studies, you will consider how the educational paradigms are rapidly altering with the ‘disruptive’ technologies of the internet and social media. You will examine the teaching of life sciences at a designated level, examine, and evaluate the research that informs this in order to draw conclusions about its effectiveness. Following much discussion and interaction on the module, you will have the opportunity to apply your creativity in the design of a teaching package. You will be provided with the practical tools and resources to enable you to plan, produce and deliver a session and to use evaluative methods to assess the impact on learning. Finally, you will be assisted in reflecting upon your work and supported to communicate your findings in a professional format to an appropriate audience.

The module is assessed by:

1. The creation, planning, production, delivery and evaluation of a teaching or outreach session must be undertaken (0% Zero weighted element)

2. A 20 minute oral presentation (80%) which contains mandatory elements
The presentation format and mandatory elements will be agreed at the start of the module, but will include details of your design and theory, lesson plan, delivery, evaluation and reflection.
This is the FINAL assessment element.

3. Active contribution to weekly sessions (20%)
This is tutor assessed and includes your attendance at and contribution to weekly group sessions.

Each week there is a one-hour keynote session at the start of each week. This may delivered online or face-to-face. This is followed by a weekly 2 hr group session in which you will work on tasks or scenarios with objectives. You should be prepared to contribute actively to these sessions and activities. Tasks agreed within sessions are to be completed by the next group session. Tutors will moderate groups and learning activities as required. Online resources built up by the groups throughout the module support all group activities.

Adams, D (2011) Effective learning in the life sciences: How students can achieve their full potential Wiley. ISBN: 978-0-470-66157-4

You will be directed to a wide range on online resources and primary literature.

Online resources via the library – off and on campus

1. Demonstrate advanced, research-informed, understanding of current learning theories and consider how they apply to the teaching of life science
Knowledge and Understanding
Learning

2. Critically evaluate current research relating to the teaching of life sciences specifically and/or related underpinning scientific concepts at a designated level and make judgements
Enquiry
Analysis

3. Create, plan, produce, deliver and evaluate a learning session in the life sciences and reflect upon the experience, communicating your findings in recognised professional format
Application
Problem Solving
Communication
Reflection