Meeting Abstract

P3.126A  Tuesday, Jan. 6  Using video documentary-making to enhance learning in large first year Biology classes WILSON, R S*; NIEHAUS, A C; WHITE, J; RASMUSSEN, A; KUCHEL, L; Univ. of Queensland r.wilson@uq.edu.au

Engaging Biology students in course material can be notoriously challenging in large first year undergraduate classes. We trialed the use of video documentary-making as a vehicle for enhancing the engagement and participation of students in a first year Ecology course with 590 students. Students were given the task of making a 5-7 minute documentary about a topic of important local or national environmental significance and communicating the science underlying the issue. Students worked in groups of 4 students and were given access to a library of 50 Sony digital video cameras and a large computer lab fitted with iMac computers. We found students spent an order of magnitude more time on their video assignment than their writing assignments of equal assessment weight. In addition, we found students directly engaged with professional scientists during the making of their videos and each group interviewed at least one scientist for their documentary. This trial clearly emphasized the benefits of utilizing novel technologies for motivating students across broad science and non-science majors to take a greater interest in the natural sciences and explore the science underlying environmental issues.