Reforming Biological/biomedical Science Teaching and Education: a Reflection on Welldeveloped Practices and Approaches in Large Class

Ahmed HK El-Hashash, Texas A &M University, USA

ABSTRACT

Making students efficiently understand and master the knowledge of biology/biomedicine by prompting active learning and critical thinking and making biology/biomedicine courses form an integrated system, are critical for more successful and effective student education. However, the current biological/biomedical education system tends to produce graduates best suited for academic careers in highly specialized areas. Many institutions favor densely packed curricula with fast-paced instructions focused on detailed subject matter, with little room is left for skill training in active learning, critical thinking, and creative problem solving, despite their significance. In this article, we discuss current defects in biological/biomedical science education and the need to reform biology/biomedicine teaching and education. We are particularly reflecting on approaches/strategies that we develop to improve biology/biomedicine teaching and learning, particularly in large classes that are challenging. This article has implications for students, instructors, and curriculum designers in higher education, and help to face challenges of biology/biomedicine learning.

Keywords

biomedicine, biology, teaching reform, active learning, student engagement.

The Role of Games and Artistic Expressions in Decolonising Peace Education in Africa: a Scoping Study.

Dudziro Nhengu, Gender Institute, Midlands State University – Gweru, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

This paper extends the notion of indigenous methods of peace education in Africa by exploring the use of games, artistic expressions and crafts in peace education in Africa, through a case analysis of selected countries from Southern and West Africa. The use of a scoping study method to put together literature for compiling secondary data for the study was corroborated with telephone interviews with 6 women informal peace educators and 6 peace students from both formal and informal peace education backgrounds. The research established the power of games, art and crafts as indigenous methods for peace education from antiquity Africa to date, the symbiotic relationship between artistic expressions and society, the value of games, arts and crafts as stimulants for emotional intelligence and the relationship between positive emotional intelligence and peace.

Keywords

Peace education, Women, Games, Artistic expressions, Crafts.