Number: 2005-013-1-700
Title: Distance learning in toxicology: Effective teaching
through technology
Task Group
Chairman: Jane Huggins
Members: John
Duffus, John Morris,
Kristine Willett,
and Paul Wright
Completion Date: 2006 - project completed
Objective:
The objective of this symposium is to present/clarify issues surrounding
development/delivery of online courses in toxicology. Instruction
in the development of these courses and several examples of robust
programs involving distance learning around the world will be presented.
Discussions relating to cost, effectiveness, and overall quality of
distance learning in toxicology will be incorporated into the symposium.
Description:
A symposium about distance learning in toxicology is proposed
in which speakers from around the globe will be discussing their efforts
in this arena. This symposium will be presented at the Society of
Toxicology (SOT) annual meeting in San Diego, CA March 5-9, 2006.
This symposium is important because undoubtedly, distance learning
has come of age. Moreover, online courses in toxicology specifically
stand to benefit many individuals studying the effects of chemicals
on humans, animals, and the environment. Furthermore, this symposium
contributes to at least two of the long-term goals of IUPAC, namely
to offer programs of significant interest to chemical education and
to offer programs which may have a significant impact in developing
countries. Distance learning in general couples electronic teaching
tools with pedagogy; asynchrony with synchrony. Not surprisingly,
registration for these courses is expanding and types of offerings
are proliferating. This rapid rate of development has, in many respects,
resulted from an increased awareness and appreciation of these techniques
by many teachers and students. The common-sense practicality associated
with many of these endeavors has, to a large extent, dispelled the
"black-box" of mysticism surrounding this area of education.
Both the thinking and the technological tools behind development of
distance learning courses in toxicology, specifically, will be presented
at this symposium. The speakers will be addressing online course content
and delivery, nationally and internationally (both "down-home"
and "down-under"). Current online courses/programs in toxicology
will be discussed with respect to development, efficacy and quality.
Asynchrony will be defined.