Selected Portfolio
Lab Activities
Lab activities developed for Douglas College’s audio-tutorial method of delivery. Exercises are designed for independent self-paced enquiry. Key features of the labs below are problem sets derived from current literature and an effort to incorporate authentic assessment.
Some of the original Douglas College biology lab multimedia projects developed in SuperCard. Guiding principle was being mindful that the primary purpose of integrating technology into the curriculum was to assist students to realize "...the possibility of gaining a useful degree of comprehension in a situation that previously was too complex, ..."(Engelbart, 1962).
Independently Developed Multimedia
Sea Urchin Development
Stomata
Stomata illustrates the complex physiology of stomatal mechanisms. Project includes video of stomata opening and closing as well as images of anatomical differences in stomatal anatomy between monocots and dicots. It was designed to supplement a laboratory activity.
Sea Urchin Development is a multimedia introduction to fertilization and development in invertebrates. The project includes QuickTime movies of the fertilization process as well as animated sequences. It was designed to supplement a laboratory activity.
Coleus Stem Section
Coleus Stem Section was developed to alleviate a long standing problem that a class of biology students faced when doing a particularly difficult lab exercise. The module proved to be effective in quelling student's frustration and contributed to reducing the amount of time it took the students to complete the lab.
Miscellany
Articulations on the Web was developed in collaboration with colleagues at Douglas College. It is a web-based introduction to the joints of the human body. The project includes QuickTime movies of joint movements as well as still images of all the major joints. Looney wrote the grant proposal, secured funding, and served as project co-lead.
Articulations on the Web
Looney negotiated partial funding and consulted on the development of a CD-ROM to teach principles of microscopy for an Adult Basic Education biology course. Final product has been pedagogically successful and has reduced course materials cost to students by approximately $200.
TRU Microscope Guide
Collaborative Work
Now 'ear This! is a standalone multimedia introduction to the anatomy and physiology of hearing. The project was developed in collaboration with colleagues at Douglas College. Looney’s role was as developer.
Now ‘ear This!
Team-based projects developed at Thompson Rivers University and Douglas College. Looney’s role was either as project lead, consultant and/or developer.
TRU Newsletter
DC Newsletter
An article written in Fall 2009 by the editor of TRU’s Open Standard newsletter describing the success of a series of seminar-based web courses. Read more »
An article written for Douglas Dialogue – Douglas College’s newsletter. Looney argues that biologists need to think more creatively about the use of educational technology.
“Very well done and useful. I wanted to learn a little about plant secondary compounds and your site did the trick!” –H.M., Brazil
“This could well become a most useful database for all who are engaged in this field.” – E.R., Richmond, Va.
“Great Page! I'm researching plant facts for an independent film and this page was wonderfully organized & easy to use.” – R.M., Washington, D.C.
“Good guidance, fruitful briefing.” – A.M., India
Feedback from The Phytochemical World
