Abstract for presentation at 11th International Congress of Human Genetics

Evaluation of multimedia genetic education resources in Australian secondary schools

  • Ms Amy Nisselle, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Australia
  • A/Prof Sylvia Metcalfe, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr Gregor Kennedy, Biomedical Multimedia Unit, The University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr MaryAnne Aitken, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Australia

    • There has been an explosion of knowledge in genetics due largely to the Human Genome study. Genetics is increasingly central to community health issues, requiring effective and accurate education both at school and in the public domain. Currently there is an emphasis in Australia on using Information and Communication Technology in education. Multimedia resources have dramatically expanded the availability of up-to-date information for genetic education but the plethora of resources can be overwhelming and of varying quality and applicability. Many resources have not been specifically developed for the Australian context, requiring research to determine if the resources suit local curricula. Previous educational research suggests that students and teachers have preferred learning and teaching styles, creating a potential mismatch between student approaches to learning and classroom learning environments. The flexibility of multimedia resources may accommodate any such mismatches but empirical research is required to determine this. This paper reports on the first phase of a study in this area. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to Australian secondary school science teachers. The questionnaire collected demographic information as well as descriptive data on the use of multimedia resources. Analyses revealed that a number of popular resources are used by many teachers to prepare or teach a class on genetics. These resources were then critically evaluated using multimedia evaluation criteria developed as part of the study. The next phase of this study will involve the observation of secondary school classrooms to determine how the most popular multimedia resources are used in practice, followed by interviews to discuss the classroom experience. Data from the questionnaires, observations and interviews will inform the development of evidence-based guidelines regarding the selection and use of multimedia resources by secondary school genetic teachers.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd