Dr Mary Peat
Director, First Year Biology
School of Biological Sciences (F07)
University of Sydney, NSW 2006
Australia
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A First Year Biology Teaching Development Group (FYBT) was set up in 1993 to implement changes to a first year biology course which is taken by about 800 students. FYBT has two main aims: firstly the rearrangement of the curriculum to accommodate a core semester and the choice of one of two second semester options; and secondly the introduction of computer content into each laboratory class, including a variety of cooperative learning experiences that will target development of student self-directed learning and communication skills
The paper focuses on the development, evaluation and introduction of computer-based materials and the changes in the management of the course. FYBT has introduced computer-based student registration, computer-delivered and marked formative and summative quizzes and numerous teaching modules on a Macintosh computer network. The teaching modules have been assessed by staff and students, during their development and introduction into the classes, and their response to the computer-based materials is positive and encouraging. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the modules is being undertaken