Improving Animation Tutorials by Integrating Simulation, Assessment, and Feedback to Promote Active Learning
biology

Pagliano, O., Brown, W. E., Rule, G., & Bajzek, D. (2007) Improving animation tutorials by integrating simulation, assessment, and feedback to promote active learning.  Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education. Reprinted with permission of AACE (http://www.aace.org).

A multidisciplinary team of biologists, media programmers and educators have been constructing detailed animated tutorials describing complex biological processes to facilitate students’ understanding in the Modern Biology and Biochemistry courses at CMU. This paper describes the evolution of these tutorials into active learning environments.

Abstract

We have integrated feedback techniques relying on mathematical models within simulations to provide problem-based learning interactions and promote a deeper understanding.

Furthermore, we have integrated self-assessments within the tutorials, so the students will be able to test their knowledge by interacting with animations, answering questions, and receiving multiple levels of feedback. These online environments provide a continuous flow of student interaction and performance data. We plan to include this data into our Digital Dashboard for Learning (DDL), a dynamic portal providing an overview of the students’ performance, to improve teaching and learning.