Foundation courses are fundamental in shaping students’ experiences at the university. The foundation course MFAC1501 for our future medical doctors received significant enhancements this year through the PVC (E) Digital Uplift program leading to the production of some innovative and inspiring course assets.
The Medicine Faculty at UNSW have been engaged in developing blended learning across the Faculty for some time. Medicine ILI projects therefore have the opportunity to take the development of online resources and activities one step further. Using feedback from students to better inform the design of course assets, we were able to produce media rich and interactive learning. Some 44 course assets were delivered including diverse styles of 2D animations, infographics, humorous cartoons, adaptive online modules, 3D animations, a virtual 3D module, and educational and scenario videos.
Of these course assets, four really stand out: a biology bridging series, a virtual box of bones, an animation to illustrate how writing skills develop throughout the six-year program, and a video of first year students discussing strategies to help get through the first few months of university life. We had very positive feedback from the Medicine team about the project as a whole and look forward to hearing how the students respond to the new assets.
“Working with the PVCE ILI team to re-invigorate Foundations was an energy packed foray which showed us how well you can revisit and revitalise a course when a group of talented, energetic, creative and committed people put their minds together to do it…”
Dr. Adrienne Torda
“The Digital Uplift team for MFAC1501 Foundations represented a seamless integration of educational and medical science professionals. Thanks to the dynamism, professionalism and remarkable skill-set of PVCE members, our shared goals and visions for the course were vividly realised…”
Dr. Anne Galea
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Here are a few more details and examples of the four stand out examples of this digital uplift project in a foundation course.
Biology Bridging Series
Firstly, a collaboration between faculties allowed the development of a series of adaptive modules on basic biology for students who don’t have this background to quickly get up to speed. The idea is also to later allow cross-pollination with other faculties and possibly high school students via the Museum of Human Disease by giving them access to the modules.
Virtual Module: Box of Bones
Secondly, a virtual module simulated a box of bones which was in the past given to each student as a symbol of their medical degree starting. The module aims to engage students in a fresh way whilst referencing the bone box tradition in a nod to the past. It includes more than 30 videos, 30 bone images to manipulate in 3D, hundreds of labels and a quiz.
Writing Skills Development Animation
Thirdly, a simple animation demonstrates the progression of writing skills throughout the eight-year program using an analogy to a judo learner progressing through different ranks of belts as the student acquires more sophisticated writing skills.
Scenario: First Year Experience
Finally, a scenario on the first-year experience of medical students helps them to reflect on the problems they can face, and how they can help each other in adapting and finding resources. As the UNSW Medicine program revolves around scenarios, this is the very first one discussed during the first weeks which aims to introduce the students to a packed and intense six-year program.