(946.pdf) BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE: PEDAGOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE CLASSROOM THAT ENGAGE STUDENTS IN ACTIVE LEARNING AND ENHANCES BOTH TEACHING AND LEARNING

摘要

A disconnect often exists between lecture-based instruction (theory) and laboratory activities(practice). The Biomedical Bacteriology Teaching and Learning Model (BBTLM) described here is aninnovative pedagogy that addresses this disconnect and in so doing reinvents how microbiology ingeneral, and biomedical bacteriology in particular, is both learned and taught. With a determined shiftfrom didactic knowledge acquisition via a “stand-and-deliver” instruction modality to a pedagogicalstrategy that allows for interactive classroom knowledge construction and understanding facilitationand demonstration of both via hands on and non-hands on applications, theory and practice areeffectively bridged. Supporting the theory-practice bridging is development and refinement of two keyhigher order learning skills, Critical Thinking (CT) and Complex Reasoning (CR), as integral elementsembedded in both the theory and practice pedagogical framework. BBTLM addresses both workplace(real world) and knowledge threshold imperatives. The resultant coherent pathway of engagement andactive learning spans first (foundation), second year (developmental) and third year (capstone)biomedical bacteriology study streams within the QUT Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelorof Medical Laboratory Science degrees. More than 700 students across all three undergraduate yearsare currently involved.