E-resources for BISC 202

TILT Program: Teaching and Learning Development Grant (TLDG)

Principal Investigator: Kevin Lam, senior lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science

Project Team: Kathleen Fitzpatrick, senior lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science; Yonathan Uriel, research assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science

Timeframe: July 2019 - June 2022

TILT Support: $5,000

Courses addressed: BISC 202 – Genetics

Final report: View Kevin Lam's final report (PDF)

Description:

This project explored the development of cost-free, interactive online resources to replace expensive textbooks in introductory genetics education. Recognizing that students found existing textbooks overly dense and complex relative to desired conceptual understanding, the team aimed to create an accessible, interactive website that helps students gain an understanding of core concepts, while also providing opportunities for practice in problem-solving, along with timely “coaching” tips and guidance.

The research involved comprehensive information gathered through student surveys, peer tutoring data, and office hours’ analysis to identify the most challenging topics and preferred resource types. Students indicated preference for practice questions, videos, and concise summaries over traditional textbook approaches. Based on this feedback, the team developed a prototype module using the Pressbooks platform with embedded H5P interactive elements, including clickable glossary terms, self-test questions, and interactive figures.

Student feedback on the pilot module was overwhelmingly positive, with 83% of students giving it an A+ rating and noting particular value in interactive practice questions. While the analysis of learning gains showed no significant difference between users and non-users of the resource, importantly, the e-resource yielded learning outcomes equivalent to traditional materials at zero cost to students. The project demonstrated that custom-designed, interactive resources can effectively support student learning while eliminating financial barriers, providing a sustainable model for future course material development.

Questions addressed:

• Which topics and skills do students find most challenging in BISC 202?
• How do students use their current textbook and what types of resources would they prefer?
• Did students find the e-resource easy to understand with appropriate detail levels?
• Do students achieve comparable learning outcomes using free e-resources versus traditional textbooks?

Knowledge sharing: The project has been shared with other genetics instructors, and the pilot module will also be used in a colleague’s course. Once the modules have been completed, they will be freely available through Creative Commons licensing.

Keywords: Open access, genetics, e-textbook, interactive learning, metacognitive, STEM, digital course materials, educational technology, pressbooks, H5P, student engagement, cost-effective education, genetics education, assessment feedback