Webinar summary by Shrutika Raut:

IndiaBioscience and biology educators from colleges and universities across India came together for this virtual meet on September 26, 2023, to celebrate the launch of ​“Teaching Graduate Biology- Volume 2”. The compendium encapsulates articles, webinar summaries, podcasts, and resources spanning from 2019 to 2022

Under the gentle moderation of host Vijeta Raghuram and co-host Shrutika Raut, the webinar engaged the attendees in informal conversations and discussions around seven fundamental themes aligned with the themes presented in the compendium:

1. Mentorship
2. Novel pedagogical techniques
3. Unraveling student misconceptions
4. Undergraduate (UG) research
5. Virtual learning
6. Policies and practices
7. Mental health

Interactive engagement was fostered through polls and direct questions, encouraging active participation. Notably, most attendees were Indian biology educators, bringing diverse perspectives to the conversation.

Insights from seasoned educators like Niyaas Naiko and Ravindranath shed light on personalized mentoring approaches, linking student interests to future career trajectories. The importance of seeking guidance from peers and seniors in navigating curriculum challenges was emphasized.

Highlighting innovative teaching methodologies, educators like Saurabh showcased gamification strategies, while Aniruddha Dutta Roy embraced memes as tools for teaching and assessment, promoting both engagement and comprehension among students.

Aniruddha Dutta Roy shared, ​“I use memes as a means of assessment. Students finished the assignment of using memes to explain various biological concepts, one day before the deadline, which is unusual and they had fun in the process too”.

Discussions on assessment approaches revealed a collective desire for skill-based evaluations over traditional exam-centric methods. Educators advocated for real-time practical assessments and continuous evaluation systems that gauge problem-solving, critical thinking, and application-based skills.

Gayatri Ramachandran emphasized, ​“I prefer skill sets-based assessment instead of marks, focusing on critical thinking and real-time problem-solving.”

In the domain of UG education, challenges like funding limitations, inadequate training for research, and constrained semester timelines emerged as significant obstacles. However, voices like Gita Mathur advocated passionately for integrating research experiences at the UG level, encouraging students to engage in meaningful scientific inquiry.

The impact of virtual learning post-COVID was highlighted, with educators expressing varying degrees of reliance on virtual platforms. Mental health emerged as a critical concern, with disparities in the availability of counselling services across educational institutions.

The webinar encapsulated a dynamic exchange of ideas, illuminating both the progress and the hurdles in graduate biology education, and fostering a collaborative spirit poised for continuous growth and advancement in the field.