www.isb-sib.ch

Contact: training@isb-sib.ch

Combining different learning techniques : how e‐learning improves classical face-to-face

The SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics provides and coordinates training on various bioinformatics-related domains. Each year, SIB with its partner institutions offers over 30 block-courses and one-day workshops (face-to-face format) on key bioinformatics topics, such as programming, large-scale data analysis, statistics, system modelling and high performance computing (HPC). Over the last year, our courses have gathered over 750 participants. SIB also offers training accessible to a larger community, through e-learning modules focusing on specific topics, for instance Unix Fundamentals and Phylogenetics of animal viral pathogens (co-developed with the FAO and IAEA). Such modules take advantages of both in-house technology and know-how and can be developed and updated in a reasonable timeframe. Furthermore, they can be easily accessible through Internet, or distributed on media devices for offline usage. Our current experience shows the combination of e-learning with face-to-face courses to be very successful. For instance, we have combined our UNIX Fundamentals e-learning module with our High Performance Computing (HPC) for Life Scientists face-to-face course. Participants were asked to complete the e-learning module before the course and were then evaluated with a short written test. Through this and other examples we have found that completion of e-learning modules prior to classical courses can be used to assess the participants' knowledge level, thus enabling teachers to better adapt the course content and to possibly modify the ratio between practical exercises and lectures.

Diana Marek1,2, Grégoire Rossier1,2, Vassilios Ioannidis1,2, Heinz Stockinger5, Ioannis Xenarios2,3,4, Thomas Junier2, Patrick Masson3 , Philippe Le Mercier3, Patricia M. Palagi1

1. Training and Outreach group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Switzerland 2. Vital-IT, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Switzerland 3. Swiss-Prot, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Switzerland 4. University of Lausanne, Switzerland 5. SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Switzerland

Case 1 as an application of the model … Unix Fundamentals : A SIB e-learning module

Assessment prior to the face-to-face course ü  Based on the e-learning knowledge content ü  Consist of a dozen of practical questions of increasing difficulty ü  Answers are sent out by email to teachers

High Performance Computing (HPC) in Life Science course

Final assessment

To conclude … ü  Introduction of e-learning prior to classical course allows participants

to acquire knowledge and assess it through hands-on experience, at their own pace

Case 1 ü  Make use of e-learning as a prerequisite for face-to-face courses ü  Allow assessment of the participants' knowledge level ü  Enable teachers to be prepared and better adapt the course content

according to the audience

Case 2 ü  Useful for course topics offering different learning levels ü  Allow teachers to guide participants to the most adequate course ü  Help participants to evaluate their knowledge and better benefit from

the courses

Combining e-learning with face-to-face training: A model …

1

2

2

1

4

3

3

4

ü  The UNIX environment in 5 chapters ü  Created with CourseLab, a commercial

e-learning tool ü  Provides the most basic commands to

users with no or very little UNIX knowledge, within 6 to 8 hours of learning

ü  Integrates theory, examples taken from various biological fields, and quizzes

ü  Easy worldwide access, rich-media support and interactivity, self- or CMS-integrated package (SCORM) http://edu.isb-sib.ch/course/view.php?id=82

More information about the course: http://edu.isb-sib.ch/course/view.php?id=169

ü  SIB/Vital-IT provides researchers the necessary hardware and software infrastructure to run computationally- and data-intensive applications

ü  To efficiently use this infrastructure, life scientists have to complete a one day HPC face-to-face training

ü  A course taught 4 times a year, which combines theory and hands-on on HPC and basic and advanced infrastructure usage

ü  Composed of simple questions and a more sophisticated exercise to validate the knowledge acquired during the course

ü  A certificate is delivered to participants having passed the exam ü  ECTS credits can also be obtained

Information: www.isb-sib.ch/training

E-learning module

Intermediate assessment

Case 1 Case 2

Participants’ global skills evaluation

Failed evaluation

Customized face-to-face

course

Introductory face-to-face

course

Final exam

Advanced face-to-face

course

Passed

Final exam Final exam

E-learning stage Face-to-face stage

Passed evaluation