Leveraging Technology for Animal Physiology Practicals

Authors

  • Suresh Krishnasamy The University of Queensland
  • Edward Narayan The University of Queensland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14742/apubs.2023.556

Keywords:

animal physiology, hybrid practical, online practical

Abstract

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, animal physiology practical classes at The University of Queensland, were conducted fully online using Lt, a cloud-based platform, ensuring that students were able to achieve the intended course outcomes. However, in 2021, practical classes had to be redesigned to cater for both on-campus and online deliveries and this project investigated the continued use of Lt in animal physiology practical classes focusing on student satisfaction and performance for both on-campus and online students. Student satisfaction with the redesigned practicals were high across all constructs - overall structure, pre-lab materials and incorporation of group work (on-campus students) while student performance outcomes showed an improved performance compared to before the use of Lt and showed no significant differences in the performance of the on-campus versus online cohorts. The findings gave confidence in using Lt as a foundation for delivering animal science practicals equitably for both cohorts.

Author Biographies

Suresh Krishnasamy, The University of Queensland

Associate Lecturer (Curriculum and e-Design)

Suresh is an educator with a passion for the teaching and learning of sciences in higher education (particularly chemistry). His academic pursuits saw him centred in chemistry with both a Master and Bachelor of Science, focusing in analytical and synthetic inorganic chemistry respectively. Armed with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (Chemistry and Physics), Suresh is also currently pursuing his PhD in Higher Education at Lancaster University.

At UQ, Suresh is an associate lecturer (curriculum and eDesign) with the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences where he plays a key role in supporting the teaching and learning needs of colleagues and students. He also partakes in educational research along with curriculum and program design activities at SAFS. He is particularly interested in the transition of first year students from high school and other avenues into undergraduate education.

After teaching GCE A Level chemistry at the college level for three years in Singapore, Suresh spent two years in an eLearning company immersing himself in the business of educational technology. Since then, he has had the opportunity to be employed in two public universities, including Nanyang Technological University, and was fortunate to be at the forefront of both their Technology-enhanced Learning initiatives. In his capacity as a learning designer, he has worked with numerous faculty members from across various disciplines, bringing an expertise in educational technology and teaching and learning, to redesign their courses for better engagement and maximise their employment of online learning.

Edward Narayan, The University of Queensland

Dr. Edward Narayan is a Senior Lecturer of Animal Science in the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences since 2019. Edward graduated with a Ph.D. degree in Biology from the University of the South Pacific and pioneered non-invasive reproductive and stress endocrinology tools for amphibians - the novel development and validation of non-invasive enzyme immunoassays for the evaluation of reproductive hormonal cycle and stress hormone responses to environmental stressors. Dr. Narayan was also a recipient of the Gold Medal Award for undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree (Biology and Chemistry) from the USP.

Edward's current research program focuses on building resilience in animals through a combination of physiological, behavioral, and management practice approaches to boost animal health, welfare, and productivity. He leads the Stress Lab and is also an affiliate Senior Research Fellow of the Queensland Alliance of Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI).

Edward's research program connects with livestock farmers and wildlife conservation groups across Australia and currently focuses on Merino sheep and koala welfare improvements through industry-funded research. He is also the recipient of the 2016 Young Rural Innovator Award with funding received from Meat and Livestock Australia on stress and shade in spring lamb meat quality.

Edward currently holds Deputy Director role of SAFS, UQ and membership iof several key journals such as Conservation Physiology, Frontiers in Veterinary Sciences and BMC Zoology. He is also Category B member of the UQ Animal Ethics Committee (NEWMA).

Edward also currently represents the University of Queensland (UQ), as a LINK member for the Universities Federation of Animal Welfare (UFAW). 

 

ASCILITE 2023 Conference logo: People, Partnerships and Pedagogies

Downloads

Published

2023-11-28

Issue

2023: ASCILITE 2023 Conference Proceedings: People, Partnerships and Pedagogies

Section

ASCILITE Conference - Concise Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Suresh Krishnasamy, Edward Narayan

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.