One of three Northeastern professors featured in the video above, Dr. John de Banzie will be on hand to demonstrate his own adventures with creative classroom technology. Stop by the NSU booth, tune in, and learn how he and others at NSU are working to transcend today's teaching and learning environment.
Abstract
Course content made available on the World Wide Web can be accessed by students at their convenience. Such content is engaging and interactive. Two novel types of content are reported, interactive practice problems and video podcasts. Practice problems are important for student learning as they promote exploration of lecture material and self-assessment of understanding of the lecture material. Interactive practice problems, featuring flexible scoring options and time-based assistance for students who are "stuck," were developed using JavaScript functions. Video podcasts provide tips for test-taking and problem-solving. Individual students vary widely in the time needed to assimilate such information. Video podcasts use humour to engage students and can be paused or repeated according to individual needs.
Professor of Biology
Dr. John de Banzie received his bachelor's degree in molecular biology from the University of Glasgow and doctoral degree in molecular biology from the University of Edinburgh. He came to the United States in 1981 for a post-doctoral research position at Cornell University, intending to stay "for just a couple of years." Five years later, he was hired by Northeastern State University, where he serves as a professor and program chair for biology. Classes taught on a regular basis include biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology laboratory, developmental biology, genetics, and molecular biology. He has a long-standing interest in the use of computer technology to further student learning, particularly the use of novel web-delivered course enhancements. He is also active in promoting involvement of undergraduate students in scientific research, in part through his role as program coordinator for the Oklahoma-INBRE, a program funded by the National Institutes for Health.
