1. Using Sakai to Research and Enhance
Small Group Teaching in Plant Sciences
University of Cambridge, UK

3. Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Summer Summer
Choose 3 Choose 3
Choose 3 Choose 1
Chemistry A Astrophysics
Chemistry
Chemistry B Chemistry
Geology
Geological Sciences A Experimental & Theoretical
Materials & Mineral
Geological Sciences B Physics
Sciences
Materials Science & Metallurgy Geological Sciences
Physics
Minerals Science Materials Science & Metallurgy
Biology of Cells
Physics History & Philosophy of
Evolution and Behaviour
Advanced Physics Science
Physiology of Organisms
History & Philosophy of Anatomy Option A
Science Anatomy Option B
Choose 1 Mathematics Biochemistry
Elementary Mathematics Genetics
for Biologists Animal Biology Neuroscience
Mathematics Biochemistry & Molecular Pathology
Quantitative Biology Biology Pharmacology
Cell & Developmental Biology Physiology
Ecology Plant Sciences
Experimental Psychology Psychology
Neurobiology Zoology
Pathology Biological & Biomedical
Pharmacology Sciences (dissertation-
Physiology based)
Plant & Microbial Sciences Physical Sciences

4. CMI Teaching and Learning Project Aims
To develop learning approaches and resources to
enhance the effectiveness of small group teaching in
2nd yr Plant and Microbial Sciences:

5. Using evidence to inform practice in small-
group teaching
• Multi-method study being carried out to identify areas
where development should take place
• Analysis shows what is needed to support small-group
teaching
• Support can be provided with online tools via SAKAI

6. CamTools – an integrated learning environment

8. Research wiki

9. Research Approach:
Identification
of desirable
practices
Analysis of Development
effectiveness of of resources
interventions
Implementation
of resources
and practices

10. Multi-method research approach

12. Syllabus tool

13. Survey – dual scale
The left scale relates to practices and this is for you to show how frequently things happen
The right scale is for you to show how much you value the activity.

15. Exemplar essays

17. Self-tests

18. Student focus groups
Where a small group of students is led in a discussion to identify and evaluate
learning practices
Experience of and Experience of
attitudes towards teaching and
assessment learning in
supervisions
Prior experience of
learning and dispositions
towards specific teaching
and learning strategies

20. Student Wiki

21. Lecture notes

23. Additional resources in WIKI
Electronic jigsaw
Flash animations
Video streams
Concept map
Podcasts
Narrated powerpoint presentations
3D structures

24. Flash Animations

25. 3D structures

26. Threshold concepts
Characteristics
• Transformative
• Integrative
• Irreversible
• Linked to areas of troublesome knowledge
e.g. Photoinhibition

27. Threshold concepts
Concept map

28. Concept Maps

29. Interviews with Tutors
• To identify successful tutorial activities for each lecture
topic
• To highlight areas where extra resources are likely to
be useful for students and tutors
• To get ideas for new types of resources

31. Tutors’ wiki

32. Using SAKAI to enhance teaching and learning

33. Plant Sciences Pedagogy Project
Lever to encourage further change in teaching
practices at the University of Cambridge

34. CamTools Demonstration Site
sakai@plantsci.cam.ac.uk

35. Josh Jacobs Patrick Carmichael
Lori Breslow Harriet Truscott
Warren Seering Rhiannon Williams
John Norman
Keith Johnstone
Fran Tracy
Katy Jordan