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Showcasing education at UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences

11 July 2016

Staff from across UCL’s School of Life and Medical Sciences (SLMS) came together to hear from six colleagues using a range of innovative teaching approaches at the School’s second education showcase.

SLMS showcase

UCL’s President & Provost Professor Michael Arthur explained the importance of giving students the opportunity to carry out research to ensure their education is as fulfilling as possible during their time at UCL. The Provost highlighted that this gives students the critical skills they will need to become problem solvers in today’s global and changing landscape.

He gave examples of how UCL was bringing students and staff together through the Connected Curriculum, UCL’s approach to research-based education, and UCL ChangeMakers, an initiative which brings staff and students together to work on projects to improve the learning experience. Professor Arthur also pointed to the continued success of UCL Arena, the university’s scheme for professional development in teaching, which this year includes 80 new fellows.

Six presentations from UCL Provost Teaching Award winners highlighted the diverse and unique ways departments have sought to improve the student experience through innovative teaching.

Dr Jolene Skordis-Worrall, UCL Institute for Global Health, explained her straightforward approach to teaching economics to non-economics students which brought together a combination of problem-based learning, group work and blended learning.

Dr Faye Gishen, UCL Medical School, outlined how using panel groups of experts through an industry approach called Schwartz Rounds, helped students to better understand what resilience might mean for their professional development.

Dr Chris Barnes, UCL Cell and Developmental Biology, talked about how giving students access to SysMIC, a comprehensive online course in systems biology aimed at researchers in the biological sciences, has been a useful blueprint for online interdisciplinary training in life science programmes.

Dr Daniel Richardson, UCL Psychology, spoke about how creating a more hands-on introductory first-year module which introduces the cycle of evidence and enquiry to psychology students has been a successful response to student feedback.

Professor Andrea Townsend-Nicholson, UCL Structural & Molecular Biology, shared how teaching innovations in developing and embedding experimental skills in undergraduate Molecular Biosciences programmes have proved beneficial in giving students an insight in to working in labs.

Dr Adam Liston, UCL Institute of Neurology, gave an overview of his Mini-MRI scanner workshop which promotes hands-on learning, group work, communicating research through vlogging and public outreach.

The presentations were then followed by a poster reception and an opportunity to network and hear more from the presenters.

Chair of the SLMS Education Network Dr Jenni Rodd said: “The SLMS Education Showcase provided an opportunity for us to celebrate the very best of the education provision within SLMS.  It was a chance for us all to learn about what is possible and be inspired to further enhance the education that we provide to our students.”

If you would like to find out more about the SLMS Education Network, please contact Dr Jenni Rodd: j.rodd@ucl.ac.uk.