The showcase entries demonstrate a number of active learning techniques:
- a variety of ways to ask in-lecture questions (all)
- different aspects of team-based learning (Dr Steve Cook and Professor Pietro Spanu)
- the use of visualisations in teaching (Dr Caroline Clewley)
- a technology-enhanced alternative to office hours (Professor Pietro Spanu)
- aspects of flipping the classroom (Dr Caroline Clewley and Professor Pietro Spanu)
For all the videos, activate closed captions with the CC button to view full details.
The showcase is open for further submissions. If you would like to share an example of an active learning technique from your teaching practice, please get in touch with the FoNS EdTech Lab to discuss and/or the FoNS AV Support Team for help with turning your idea into a video clip for inclusion in the showcase.
Challenge entries
- Dr Magda Charalambous - Cell Biology and Genetics (Biological Sciences Year 1)
- Dr Caroline Clewley – Physics for Chemists (Chemistry Year 1)
- Dr Steve Cook – Cell Biology and Genetics (Biological Sciences Year 1)
- Dr Jonathan Eastwood – Space Physics (Physics Year 4)
- Professor Emma McCoy – Probability and Statistics (Maths Year 1)
- Dr Laura Patel – Main Group Chemistry (Chemistry Year 2)
- Professor Pietro Spanu – Applied Molecular Biology (Biological Sciences Year 2)
FoNS active learning summer challenge showcase event
The event showcased the above examples of active learning implemented by FoNS teaching staff. Active learning has been shown to be a highly effective teaching methodology that leads to improved learning outcomes for students. It is at the centre of the College's Learning and Teaching Strategy. The summer challenge event was designed to spark discussion and share examples of active learning in practice.
Nine entries were submitted to the Challenge from the Departments of Chemistry, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Physics. These were judged by a panel of FoNS staff and students using the following categories:
- Pedagogic content
- Teaching delivery
- Degree of activeness
- Student engagement
- Student learning
- AV quality of clip
The judges agreed that all entries showed excellent pedagogic techniques and the students were very positive about the active learning demonstrated. Many thanks to all members of staff who shared their teaching practice by submitting entries to the Challenge.
All of the entries were commended in multiple categories; and prizes were awarded to the three entrants who came top in individual categories (in alphabetical order):
- Dr Caroline Clewley
- Dr Steve Cook
- Professor Pietro Spanu
Sharing good practice
The guidance documents, case studies and other resources within this page have been put together by the Faculty Education Team and are based on existing good practice from within FoNS Departments, other Faculties and external sources.
There are also a number of useful case studies available via the Innovations in Learning area of the Learning and Teaching Strategy webpages.
Sharing Good Practice
Sharing Good Practice
AV and learning technology initiatives
View the ChemWiki page
The links below are to external films related to the above workshop:
Contact us
Get in touch with the EdTech Lab and AV Support Team: