Enhancing the Bioscience STEM Agenda Through Blended E-learning

Abstract

London Metropolitan University is one of Britain’s largest universities and is committed to investing in new facilities, the latest addition being a first-class teaching and research science centre featuring a ''superlab'' with 280 workstations sharing both conventional and digital technology. Instruction of Bioscience provision that addresses the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics agenda has been traditionally divided into three parts: lectures, tutorials and practical classes. To maximize use of the new state of the art facilities, additional e-learning material was developed to complement the live sessions. The e-learning strategy adopted comprised learning through reflection (access to virtual lecture notes), learning by doing (forensic science application), and learning through conversation (e-forum). The effectiveness and impact of implementing this strategy is being evaluated via a three step, three phase process that involves a front-end, followed by a formative and concluded by a summative evaluation. Phase I involved implementation of the blending model to Bioscience master classes for sixty Year 10 (ages 14-15) Gifted and talented students from ten different London urban schools and feedback has been both invaluable and positive. Blended e-learning facilitates interest in the Biosciences, enhances performance and increases student engagement and eventual success in the learning process.