Teaching Development Grants
Completed TDG Projects

IT in the Curriculum & e-Learning

Biochemistry for the Virtual and Life-long Learners


Abstract

The primary intentions of this project were to tailor-make a purposely built virtual learning environment to evaluate the potential effectiveness of such platform towards enhancement of the basic science learning of the medical students.

In principle, the virtual platform which is now available can be used as open learning resources for other teachers and programmes. We also hope that our lesson models can be used as references for other teachers in their lesson implementations. As illustrated by our innovative hybrid lesson design intercalating real hands-on basic science practical with virtual simulation as a clinical scenario trigger, the post-lab results showed enhanced abstract concept learning, which might partially attributed by improved student engagement through our moderate use of the technology.

Through this project, we have gained better understanding of our students in their learning attitudes and preferences, which may be very unique to the students on professional degree programmes. We are interested to extend the project towards more pedagogy related explorations in our future action research.

Principal Investigator

Dr. J.W.Y. Ho, Department of Biochemistry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine Contact

Project level

Programme-level project

Project Completion

December 2014

Deliverables

    1. A Virtual Biochemistry Lab in a HKU Medicine Island Download
      • as a novel tool and platform for developing interactive teaching resources for the medical students
      • as a prototype for lab related activities in a simulation environment
    2. A tailor-made prototype lesson plan for clinically contextualized biochemistry practical sessions relevant to the medical students for careful integration into the medical curriculum. Abstract and slides are available. Download
    3. Feedbacks from the students and reflections and analysis from the designers and teacher concerned (Phase I) [Project thesis (MSc): http://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/202305]
    4. Reflections and analysis:
    5. Two Manuscripts (technical design and pedagogy) for peer reviewed journals.