A Decade of Reflective Teaching: DBS Educators Gather for Annual Teaching LIFE Workshop
The Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) reaffirmed its commitment to teaching excellence and student success at the 10th Teaching LIFE Workshop, held on 6 August 2026, organised by Dr Amy Choong.
Now a longstanding departmental tradition, the workshop provides a dedicated platform for educators to exchange ideas, share teaching experiences, discuss challenges, and explore innovative approaches to student learning. Since its inception in 2017, the event has brought together colleagues across the Department to reflect on and strengthen teaching practices in an increasingly dynamic educational landscape.
The workshop’s name reflects both the Department’s disciplinary focus and its educational philosophy. The acronym LIFE stands for Learner-centred, Innovative, Feasible, and Effective, principles that guide the Department’s approach to teaching. Beyond the acronym, Teaching “Life” also represents part of our staff’s vocation as university professors and captures the essence of education itself: nurturing each student as an individual and fostering understanding of life through both scientific inquiry and broader reflection.
This year’s workshop focused on the theme “Assessment to Measure Student Learning.” Bringing together 30 teaching staff from the Department, the session explored how assessments can not only evaluate student achievement but also provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of teaching practices.
Throughout the morning, faculty members shared a wide range of teaching innovations and assessment strategies. Presentations addressed topics such as using generative AI prompts to analyse environmental data, diversifying continuous assessments in biodiversity courses, balancing conceptual and experiential learning, making quantitative skills more engaging and equitable for life sciences students, and developing assessments that promote critical thinking and student agency. Other presentations explored the role of sensory learning in botany, peer review and visual storytelling, and the continued relevance of final examinations in higher education.
A group discussion session offered participants the opportunity to exchange perspectives on assessment design, student learning experiences, and opportunities for curriculum enhancement across courses. These conversations highlighted the collaborative spirit that has been central to the workshop’s success over the years.
A particular highlight emerged during the lunch discussions, where colleagues engaged in lively conversations about the growing influence of artificial intelligence on both teaching and learning. Participants reflected on how AI is changing classroom practices, assessment design, and students’ approaches to assignments, while considering ways to harness emerging technologies in support of meaningful learning outcomes.
With nearly a decade of history, the Teaching LIFE Workshop continues to serve as an important forum for educational dialogue within DBS. By creating space for educators to learn from one another, share effective practices, and collectively address emerging challenges, the workshop underscores the Department’s ongoing dedication to delivering a high-quality, student-centred education.
As teaching and learning continue to evolve, initiatives such as Teaching LIFE ensure that DBS remains committed to preparing students not only with disciplinary knowledge, but also with the skills, curiosity, and critical thinking needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
