2019 Biomedical Sciences Learning and Teaching Forum

The forum was, this year again, a great success with staff and PhD students from all over the university gathering to celebrate Learning, Teaching and Student support at the Deanery of Biomedical Sciences.

Professor Derek Scott from the University of Aberdeen started the event with a stimulating presentation entitled “Use of Objective Structured Practical Examinations (OSPE’s) to assess science student practical skills and graduate attributes.” The event continued with series of interesting presentations covering a range of themes from the use of new technologies in Teaching and Learning to the student and staff academic community in our deanery. A presentation by Dr Rebecca Ellerington from the Journal of visualised experiments brilliantly ended the event.

At the heart of every thriving community are enthusiasm, excitement and energy. This year’s Learning and Teaching Forum again demonstrated that these attributes are present in abundance in BMS and are resolutely focussed on enhancing the student learning experience and growing our sense of academic community for the benefit of all members, students and staff. Hearing about the innovative use and evaluation of new technologies like video and audio capture epitomises the creativity and imagination that contributes to the development of our learning and teaching portfolio. We were also privileged to hear from Professor Derek Scott on how he and his team have transformed the assessment of science student practical skills and graduate attributes at the University of Aberdeen through the adaptation of Objective Structured Practical Examinations. As in previous years our external speaker has provided us with food for thought on how we can think differently about how we teach and assess science.

Dr Philip Larkman

Presentations

“Use of Objective Structured Practical Examinations (OSPE’s) to assess science student practical skills and graduate attributes”. Prof Derek Scott, (University of Aberdeen)

QAE Updates. Michael Daw (BMS QAE Director)

“BMS Student Staff community: Insights from an IAD secondment project” Céline Caquineau (BMTO)

“Behind the 'Scope’ - attempting to overcome unintentional intimidation” Brenda Murage (CDBS)

“Making the most of lecture capture” Phil Larkman (BMTO)

“Mechanisms of Brian Development 3:  What can we do to improve student learning, engagement and attainment? An Experiment?” Peter Kind (CDBS)

“JoVE - a catalyst for scientific education” Rebecca Ellerington (The Journal of Visualized Experiments)