A part of 2.3 Lightning Talk session

Vivienne Luk, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Forensic Science Program, UTM

Traditional subscription-based educational platforms (e.g., Labster, MEL Science, Pearson’s Mastering) are rigid and fixed in their content and activities and require students to pay to access. Even platforms that are advertised as free (e.g., edX, Coursera) only provide limited content, requiring additional cost to unlock a wider range of curriculum that educators cannot further modify for their purposes. Furthermore, with increased emphasis on EDI, a flexible platform allows educators to directly address any inequities and can apply modifications where necessary (e.g., pivot to virtual learning during a pandemic). To increase accessibility of continuous free-of-charge learning and promote digital fluency among educators, students, and institutions, I present how H5P Studio and Pressbooks were used to reduce the barrier to learning and keep learners engaged in my introduction to forensic science course. Specifically, I will present the Language of Forensics web tool, a tool created through eCampusOntario that target discipline-specific language development (terminology list, pronunciation guides and audio clips) and comprehension skills (glossaries, flash cards, picture games). The web tool will remove the cost barrier associated with online learning and give the power back to educators to modify and adapt the content to their classroom. The accessible nature of the platform will benefit students as they can engage with the content at a time and pace that is more convenient for them, revisit the modules at any point in time after a course is complete, and participate in activities designed to promote digital fluency, critical thinking, self-discovery, and self-directed based learning.