Excellence in teaching

e-Learning in first year Human Biology

The task of ensuring valid formative and summative assessment in large first year classes is difficult due to the administrative load and sheer volume of marking.

Our school has developed and implemented an innovative online quiz system for formative and summative assessment of first year Human Biology. A practice quiz and a graded test are available on computer for each of six topics during each semester. Our aims in developing this system were:

1. To provide students with feedback on their progress throughout semester.

2. To enable continuous assessment of core concepts and facts.

3. To improve overall student unit grade.

The system draws on a database of relevant knowledge statements, arranged within subject areas, to randomly generate multiple choice questions. Questions can have an associated image, which greatly enhances the type of knowledge being tested. All statements are written by the teaching staff to ensure full integration with the material being taught.

Students can practise questions as often as they wish prior to taking the test which contributes to their formal assessment. The graded test must be taken in the School's video monitored computer laboratory.

Students have recognised the value of the system for their learning. In SPOT surveys for 2002-2004, 87% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the statement " the online practice quizzes were a valuable learning resource" and 73% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement "the online continuous assessment tests provide valuable feedback on my progress."

The value of our online system in enhancing the learning process is also supported by the results of a formal evaluation (Gemmiti, 2003). This study showed that student average online test grade increased as more practice quizzes were attempted. Furthermore, the use of practice quizzes was associated with increased overall semester-one unit grade.

• Gemmiti, F. (2003). Did Human Biology students use, recommend and benefit from computer-based assessment. Paper presented at Teaching & Learning Forum & HERDSA conference 2003.

The First year human biology at UWA: Keeping the 'Human' in Human Biology project was a finalist in the Australian Award for University Teaching in 2004. The submission was made by Professor Brendan Waddell, Dr Kathy Sanders, Ms Julie Hill, Dr Jan Meyer, Associate Professor Linc Schmitt and Dr Debra Judge.