CeAL

CeAL Events

Forthcoming Events

CEAL/LETS SEMINAR - Active learning to develop a personal view: some Australian perspectives
Barbara van Leeuwen, Head of new Biology Teaching and Learning Centre
Thursday 18 March, FC CE202 — 12.15 to 13.45
Australian National University in Canberra, Australia
Please contact Barbara Rainbow, CeAL Administrator — brainbow@glos.ac.uk if you are able to attend

Abstract:
In undergraduate courses much science is presented to students as information or, in later years, as the results of experiments designed to test hypotheses. Although many scientists are concerned about whether the scientific outcomes are usefully applied, students often don’t understand why a new technology is contentious. I am interested in designing teaching and learning activities that encourage students to understand the issues from a non-science perspective and make a decision about whether they would use a particular technology themselves. In order to form a personal view, students need to be able to research the technology and the issues, reflect on their own personal value systems and then be able to argue their own views. As an example I will present the activities I use in a third year undergraduate course called “Biotechnology in Context”. This course considers new biotechnologies such as genetically modified food and the use of foetal stem cells in medicine. My goal is to assist the development of skills that can be applied to both current and future technologies. The assessment is designed as a learning experience that develops reflective and argumentative ability in both oral and written communication and includes debates, self-assessment and reflective writing.

Centre for Active Learning (CeAL) Celebration event

29th March 2010, 11.30 — 2.30, CeAL Building, FCH Campus 

To celebrate the end of the funding period for the CeAL, the University’s five-year Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning HEFCE-funded project, and mark the continuation of its work in Teaching and Learning Innovation (TLI), CeAL are holding an event on the 29th March to which all staff are invited.  This event will be a celebration of the achievements and outcomes from the CeAL programme.  It will be a participatory event, with an emphasis on sharing practice and ideas that have developed from CeAL projects over the past five years. 

The event will consist of a series of displays from CeAL project holders sharing key messages from their work.  Participants to the event will be invited to engage with these displays and identify the key messages that have relevance to them; these will be used to inform future learning and teaching developments in the University and beyond. 

The event will be open from 11.30 — 2.30 and participants can visit at any time during this period.  Lunch will be available between 12.30 and 1.30.   

If you plan to attend please inform Barbara Rainbow (brainbow@glos.ac.uk) for catering purposes, and so additional information for participants can be sent nearer the time. 

The CeAL team hopes to see you there!

REAL: the University of Gloucestershire national conference and workshop event, 16/17 June 2010
Research in Education for Active Learning (REAL) further information

The University of Gloucestershire is pleased to host this two day academic conference and practical workshop event.

Call for Papers:

Please submit a 250 word abstract for a paper and/or a workshop contribution (no more than 1 page please) in a standard Word file including you name, organisation and contact details to Barbara Rainbow (brainbow@glos.ac.uk)

09/02/2010

For more information on the Centre for Active Learning contact:
Barbara Rainbow, CeAL Administrator, Tel: +44 (0)1242 714683, E-mail: brainbow@glos.ac.uk
Sonia Chilton, CeAL Administrative Assistant, Tel: +44 (0)1242 714615, E-mail: slchilton@glos.ac.uk