Examples of Web Projects Developed by SOBSTDU
The TDU has developed a number of online learning resources.
Some projects remain incomplete due to lack of funds or academic support.
Introduction to Entomology
The entomology website was developed in 2003-2004 and its aim is to provide an accompaniment to the Introductory Entomology (BIOL2007) course offered by the University. The information contained in the site reinforces material covered in the lectures and provides additional information for those students keen on further exploring the topic of entomology.
Mycology
The mycology website was set up in 1998 to assist people who wish to develop their understanding of fungi. The site is primarily aimed at students enrolled in tertiary learning and the material is primarily structured to assist students enrolled in various biology courses currently being offered at The University of Sydney. Most of the material is text based, however a significant number of images and animations have been used where necessary to illustrate concepts. This website also uses interactive questions in which the user has the option to save their responses. In 2004, the mycology website was redeveloped to bring it up to date with current web standards.
Virtual Learning Environment – First Year Biology
The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) was developed to provide flexible access to First Year Biology learning resources that had previously only been available in hard copy during normal working hours from the resources room. The VLE facilitates informal communication between biology students in the discussion rooms and more formal discussions with biology staff via the cyber-entities, e.g. Cyber-Tutor, Cyber-Tech and Cyber-Admin. All learning resources are open access (except for the lecture notes) and available behind the Resource Centre door for those students or visitors requiring access to them.
Plant Physiology
The three plant physiology laboratory modules were developed in response to difficulties experienced in previous years by students using data acquisition hardware and software during physiological experiments. The modules were designed to familiarise the student with the hardware and software before they were required to use it in the laboratory. Movies, screenshots and photographs were used to provide detailed instructions for each step of the experiment. It was hoped to reduce student demands on demonstrator staff involved in teaching by making the students more self-sufficient. Students had the option to print out the protocol or view it on an adjacent computer as they worked.
Biology Literacy
The literacy project consisted of self-paced internet delivered tutorials using formative assessment and feedback, designed to improve the standard of laboratory report writing in Biology, Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering. Interactive, DHTML based excercises are dispersed throughout the site to reinforce and improve understanding of each topic.
Last updated: September 3, 2007