IJUP08 - Universidade do Porto

Construction of a learning unit in a Moodle platform: studying
mitosis using fruit fly as a model
A. Barros 1 , C. Melo 2 , N. Regadas 2 , J. Santos 2 , S. Pereira 1,2
1Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2Office for Science Communication, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University
of Porto, Portugal.
The project “Construction of a learning unit in a Moodle plataform: studying mitosis using
fruit fly as a model” funded by “Scientific Investigation in pre-graduation” of UP is a new
strategy to engage students in a learning process. The aim of this project is the construction
of a b-learning unit to be used in formal and non-formal education. It will be implemented
in a biology educational site named “Estaleiro da Ciência”, coordinated by IBMC in
collaboration with FCUP funded by Ciência Viva.
The development of this learning unit, requires expertise in different domains being
supported by an interdisciplinary team: a Pre-graduation student of Biology teaching, a
master of Biology teaching and a graduate of Journalism and Communication Science of
UP.
The construction of this tool relies on Scientific, Didactics and Multimedia know-how.
Biological material handling and experimental procedures were already defined and
tested 1 in the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of IBMC. Didactics basis relies on the
Teaching trough Research 2 approach. In order to be implemented this tool will be
organized in three stages: challenge, “hands-on” and results presentation. The first consists
in a presentation of the challenge to the public in a way to motivate research and the
engagement in the experimental activities. This will include various experimental reports
with photos and video images. The practical work is a “Hands-on” approach using selected
microscopy techniques. At last, results of experimental activities will be presented as a
scientific article and/or a poster, with subsequent discussion between participants or other
public on the web site. The multimedia component will conjugate different forms of
information: video, animations, photos. Several functionalities are also being defined with
the incorporation of this unit in the software Moodle, to promote the flexibility and the
interactivity between users 3 .
This unit, resulting of an articulation of the New Tecnologies of Information and
Communication with Didactics can be a new idea intertwining Research Laboratories and
Universities to improve Science Education and Scientific Outreach.
References:
[1] Barros, I. (2007). Drosophila melanogaster como Modelo Biológico no Ensino da Mitose.
Dissertação de Mestrado. Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto. Porto
[2] Cachapuz, F. et al (2000). Perspectivas de Ensino, Textos de Apoio n.º1, Formação de
Professores – Ciências. Centro de Estudos de Educação em Ciência. Porto.
[3] Melo, C. (2006). Promoção do Ensino Experimental das Ciências: Construção e Integração de
Material Didáctico num Software Educativo, na temática Reprodução sexuada. Dissertação de
Mestrado. Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto. Porto.
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