Biomedical Sciences 1: Facilitating the transition to higher education Dr Allison Wroe, Dr Phil Larkman Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Enhancement Themes conference, Thursday 9 June 2016 John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh

To provide guidance and space to allow the development of critical thought – 8 lectures and FGDs, 100% ICA. Harness the enthusiasm and excitement of being at University to promote the development of key academic skills – “Hot topics” Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences 1 - Aims To discuss expectations and reflect on the idea of autonomous learning – skill development tutorials, individual and group assignments. To facilitate transition into higher education - feed-forward, feedback, peer feedback.

Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences 1 – “Hot Topics” Inspirational lecture Facilitated group discussions Discussion Board Post Do you consider antimicrobial resistance to be one of the most pressing problems of our age? E.G. “Antibiotic Crisis” “How did antimicrobial resistance arise?” “What are the mechanisms of resistance in bacteria?” “What ways of controlling infection are or might become available to us?” Additional Information Sources e.g. 4/abs/nrmicro2312.htmlhttp:// 4/abs/nrmicro2312.html [accessed 29/8/15]

Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences 1 – “Tutorials” Academic and Reflective Writing Individual Essay Formative Feedback on draft essay plan Group Poster Peer Moderation /Feedback Criteria Setting Reflective Record Summative Assessments Reflective Report

Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences 1 – “Practicals” Practical Work Data Handling MCQ Test Summative Assessment Tutorials “Scientific Method”

Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences 1 – “Outcomes” For some students the course was too “lightweight”; they wanted more facts and more traditional assessment. “I felt this course was a brilliant introduction to biomedical sciences, as it gave information on every aspect of the science and did so in a manner that was interesting and very informative.” “I liked the lectures because they were interesting but as each one is on a different topic and we don't get tested on anything it was a bit strange. I enjoyed them but I was hoping to do more science learning from lectures than just gaining a brief insight.” Overall the course was well received with ~58% expressing that they were satisfied or better with the course. However,

Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences 1 – “Outcomes” The importance of skill development in a biomedical context was not clear to many students. “I feel that I have not done any relevant work within biomedical sciences. Although I find the lectures interesting …. each lecture feels like an introduction. I have already chosen this course, I do not need to be inspired to do it” “The lecture series was very interesting but besides that it appeared to be a course almost entirely about essay writing.” “I find it insane that I am writing a personal reflective essay for a science subject, about how I learn.”

The feedback reflects a first year cohort coming from a broad range of backgrounds. Students on entry have different skill sets often developed to different levels. Students have a range of expectations often closely linked to previous experience. Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences 1 – The Future

A clearer dialogue on the aims of the course. Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Sciences 1 – The Future Emphasis on the use of feedback in all its forms as a foundation of reflective, independent learning. Greater focus on the individual aspects of skill development. Increased clarity on the benefits of learning through non-traditional teaching and assessment practices