Implementation of an interactive Moodle platform into introductory biology classes

This project aims at setting up a Moodle-based, interactive learning platform that integrates content material, tutorial questions as well as individual and group assignments that are answered through the web-based system. The system is able to feed back to the students and guide them through the topics by giving hints or refer to other resources. The platform will allow the straightforward implementation of TORQUES (the ETH initiative for web-based courses) and facilitate the application of flipped classroom approaches. This will increase the time available for in-class discussions and exercises, a need expressed by many students.
Despite the active engagement in the exercises, we also aim to integrate the students through a defined students› space dedicated to upload related material (summaries, quiz cards, questions) or to communicate using a forum. The platform will constitute an integral part in the majority of biology introductory classes and will serve as a guideline for students to evaluate their state of knowledge at any time during their basic studies.

The coordination with projects led by the LET will be one of the success factors of this project. A more interactive version of the Moodle platform can be applied to many teaching projects and will be of interest for other departments at ETH offering web-based courses.The platform will be a successful teaching tool especially in the heterogeneous student populations in the introductory courses, since it represents a way to personalize students› learning. The integration of the platform in all our subsequent courses will further support the intended spiral curriculum. Finally, a successful element of this project is also the integrated students› area that directly involves students to share experiences and material.

• interaction with LET on Moodle developments and applications
• homogenization and visualization of curriculum (by introduction of the Moodle platform in all D-BIOL courses)

• first interactive teaching platform as an integral part of the biology curriculum enhances
enhances transparency for students and lecturers
• allows visualizing the student’s learning progress
• provides necessary opportunities for students to test and apply their knowledge

• Classes were very well designed. Absorption was much higher because what was learned was immediately applied and revised and discussed…. Great to avoid the monotony. Student, Fundamentals of Biology IA lecture.

• The Moodle platform is excellent with everything it has to offer. The quizzes in particular were very motivating as you wanted to do as well as possible, which in turn made for more efficient learning.Student, lecture Fundamentals of Biology IA

• With the e-learning material I understood the material much better.Student, lecture Fundamentals of Biology IA

I especially liked the independent preparation of the topics using the online lessons and the simultaneous review through the multiple-choice questions. – BioIA