Bringing the field to students

UQ’s distance education students can have an authentic research experience without leaving their homes, thanks to entomology lecturer Associate Professor David Merritt.

Dr Merritt wants to extend the research experience to all students, regardless of their location.

Students enrolled in his third-year course are now analysing experimental data in exactly the same way he would.

“Entomology was recognised by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (now the Office of Teaching and Learning) as a discipline that was at risk,” Dr Merritt said.

“Remote delivery was seen as a way of protecting it.”

Dr Merritt supplied his students with data taken from the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand, a tourist attraction visited by more than 400,000 people each year.

“We set up cameras in the field that monitored the light every 10 minutes, and provided those results in a spreadsheet,” he said.

“Students were asked to analyse the response of the glow worms to changes such as temperature and humidity, as well as the impact of human visitors.

“It’s a complex, real environmental problem.”

Other student groups have examined glowworm luminescence data from the Springbrook National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

As well as the scientific data, students could access online resources such as recorded audio and PowerPoint presentations, and work through various modules.

This work builds on Dr Merritt’s previous efforts in delivering practical research opportunities remotely.

“Remote students can conduct insect dissections, just as our internal students would,” he said.

“We post out dissection kits with an insect and ask students to report back.”

Dr Merritt said his aim was to make remote students feel more involved and connected.

“Teaching this way is challenging because we don’t get to know the students personally,” he said.

“But providing them with a research experience is still important.”

Media: Dr Merritt (07 3365 3478, d.merritt@uq.edu.au)