Welcome to the home page
of RIBET.
About Us
RIBET
was set up late in 2000 in response
to a review of the School of Biological
Sciences, which acknowledged the
groundbreaking work on student learning
that was being done by a group of
people who had been concentrating
their efforts into teaching development
activities for at least a decade.
The work is reflecte in the conference presentations and more latterly in journal publications.
Since this time there have been other developments within the Faculty
of Science with the launching of SciFER - the Faculty Educational Research group
(http://science.uniserve.edu.au/courses/scifer/). This meets once a month; is multi-disciplinary
and offers small research grants each year. RIBET members are also members of SciFER.
RIBET Scholarship
Two scholarships are currently
being offered by the Research in Biology Education and Training Group (RIBET) and aim
to encourage students to study in the field of biology and education. Each scholarship project is for the
equivalent of four or six weeks full time academic research to be undertaken
during the Summer vacation period:
- Student
use and perception of online activities that have replaced face-to-face delivery
in a first year unit of study in Biological Sciences. [Supervisor : Dr
Osu Lilje]
- Assessment
of Plant Physiology’s Numeracy Diagnostic on-line module. [Supervisor: Dr
Rosanne Quinnell]
The successful applicant
will gain the opportunity to participate in a research project, with possible
recognition in any potential journal or conference paper resulting from their
project and the experience of presenting their results in an academic forum.
Eligibility:
The scholarship is open to current full-time or part-time
university students who have successfully completed a full year of their degree
course.
Criteria for the award:
The scholarship will be awarded to the applicant showing the
greatest merit in one or all of the following desirable areas:
- Academic
achievement (with particular emphasis on Biology and Education)
- Successful completion of 12cp of either Biology and/or Education
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Experience in MS Excel and MS Word
- Ability to perform data analysis using simple statistical methods
- Ability to work harmoniously in a team environment
- Demonstrate enthusiasm, high personal professional standards, motivation
and commitment to the project.
To apply:
All applications to be clearly labelled: RIBET scholarship
application and include any relevant supporting evidence or documentation as
appropriate. Applications to be submitted by 30/11/06 either by email to cetaylor@bio.usyd.edu.au or by post
to:
Dr Charlotte Taylor
Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching, Faculty of Science
School of Biological Sciences A08
The University of Sydney, NSW 2006
Mission of RIBET
The
rationale for our research group,
RIBET, is embedded in the discipline
of biology and the life sciences.
It has a strong pedagogical base
built on the extensive experience
in science and education of the
members of the group, especially
in areas of innovation and good
practice.
Biology is currently undergoing
a rapid expansion particularly in
the areas of biotechnology, molecular
biology and the environmental sciences.
Accompanying these theoretical and
technological developments are the
new interactions with and impacts
on society in general, as well as
research into new teaching and learning
methods. The new generation of biologists
require different approaches to
their professions that in turn require
changes in the training they receive.
Our mission is therefore to investigate
biology teaching and learning environments.
The outcome of such evidence-based
investigations aims to inform curriculum
development and to support and enhance
effective and innovative biology
teaching.
This will require investigations
into ways of improving the practice
of biology education, focussing
on an understanding of best practice
associated with communication in
science, skills development and
transfer, and embracing newer methods
in teaching and learning and training
technologies. We will also work
within the current educational environment
to evaluate the effects of prior
experience in biology with respect
to the changes in the New South
Wales Higher School Certificate
syllabus and the transition to a
university learning culture.
Group
Members
Research Associates
Reports
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