Associate Professor Kay Colthorpe
Associate Professor
School of Biomedical Sciences
+61 7 334 69701
Researcher biography
As I am a teaching-focussed academic, my research interests centre on teaching and learning. Specifically, I want to understand how undergraduate students learn in a conceptually challenging discipline like physiology. However, the primary purpose of any T&L research is not simply to improve our knowledge and disseminate findings, although that is important. Instead, the primary aim of our research must always be to improve student learning outcomes. It is essential not only that we do research in T&L, but that we also incorporate those research findings into our teaching and curriculum design, and encourage others to do so too. Currently my research is pursuing three major themes: (1) promotion of the metacognition of learning; (2) how we promote the development of undergraduate science students 'scientific' skills, encompassing science communication, scientific reasoning and critical thinking; and (3) innovations in assessment and feedback to support student learning.
Book
Colthorpe, Kay, Rowland, Susan and Leach, Joan (2013). Threshold learning outcome 4: communication. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT).
Journal Articles
Faber, E. S. Louise, Colthorpe, Kay, Ainscough, Louise and Kibedi, Judit (2024). Students' approaches to developing scientific communication skills. Advances in Physiology Education, 48 (3), 639-647. doi: 10.1152/advan.00009.2024
Schultz, Madeleine, Southam, Daniel C., Buntine, Mark, Colthorpe, Kay, Howitt, Susan, Johnson, Elizabeth, Jones, Susan, Kelder, Jo-Anne, Kift, Sally, Loughlin, Wendy A., O'Brien, Glennys A., Pyke, Simon, Rice, John, Rowland, Susan and Yucel, Robyn (2023). 'Transformative': The threshold learning outcomes for science. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 76 (12), 908-920. doi: 10.1071/CH23137
Rutenberg, Izaak, Ainscough, Louise, Colthorpe, Kay and Langfield, Tracey (2022). The anatomy of agency: Improving academic performance in first year university students. Anatomical Sciences Education, 15 (6), 1018-1031. doi: 10.1002/ase.2137
Whiting, Harrison, Blackmore, Conner, Vitali, Julian, Langfield, Tracey, Colthorpe, Kay, Ernst, Hardy and Ainscough, Louise (2022). Theories of Blended Learning: A Novel Approach to Tertiary Neuroanatomy. International Journal of Higher Education, 11 (4), 191-200. doi: 10.5430/ijhe.v11n4p192
Colthorpe, Kay and Ainscough, Louise (2021). Do-it-yourself physiology labs: can hands-on laboratory classes be effectively replicated online?. Advances in Physiology Education, 45 (1), 95-102. doi: 10.1152/advan.00205.2020
Blackmore, Conner, Vitali, Julian, Ainscough, Louise, Langfield, Tracey and Colthorpe, Kay (2021). A review of self-regulated learning and self-efficacy: the key to tertiary transition in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). International Journal of Higher Education, 10 (3), 169-177. doi: 10.5430/ijhe.v10n3p169
Colthorpe, Kay, Gray, Harrison, Ainscough, Louise and Ernst, Hardy (2020). Drivers for authenticity: student approaches and responses to an authentic assessment task. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 46 (7), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2020.1845298
Ainscough, Louise, Leung, Richard and Colthorpe, Kay (2020). Learning how to learn: can embedded discussion boards help first-year students discover new learning strategies?. Advances in Physiology Education, 44 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1152/advan.00065.2019
Gray, Harrison, Colthorpe, Kay, Ernst, Hardy and Ainscough, Louise (2020). Professional identity of undergraduate occupational therapy students. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 4 (1). doi: 10.26681/jote.2020.040102
Panaretos, Christian, Colthorpe, Kay, Kibedi, Judit and Ainscough, Louise (2019). Biomedical science students’ intended graduate destinations. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 27 (9), 1-16.
Panaretos, Christian, Colthorpe, Kay, Kibedi, Judit and Ainscough, Louise (2019). Biomedical science students’ intended graduate destinations. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 27 (9), 1-16.
Colthorpe, Kay, Ogiji, Jennifer, Ainscough, Louise, Zimbardi, Kirsten and Anderson, Stephen (2019). Effect of metacognitive prompts on undergraduate pharmacy students' self-regulated learning behavior. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 83 (4) 6646, 6646. doi: 10.5688/ajpe6646
Vasudeva, Sanjay, Colthorpe, Kay, Ernst, Hardy and Lam, Kai Wei (2019). How biomedical science students use their mobile devices for learning. International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, 11 (3), 38-54. doi: 10.4018/IJMBL.2019070103
Colthorpe, Kay Louise, Abe, Haruna and Ainscough, Louise (2018). How do students deal with difficult physiological knowledge?. Advances in Physiology Education, 42 (4), 555-564. doi: 10.1152/advan.00102.2018
Langfield, Tracey, Colthorpe, Kay and Ainscough, Louise (2018). Online instructional anatomy videos: student usage, self-efficacy, and performance in upper limb regional anatomy assessment. Anatomical Sciences Education, 11 (5), 461-470. doi: 10.1002/ase.1756
Rowland, Susan, Hardy, James, Colthorpe, Kay, Pedwell, Rhianna and Kuchel, Louise (2018). CLIPS (Communication Learning in Practice for Scientists): a new online resource leverages assessment to help students and academics improve science communication. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 19 (1) 1466. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v19i1.1466
Colthorpe, Kay, Sharifirad, Tania, Ainscough, Louise, Anderson, Stephen and Zimbardi, Kirsten (2017). Prompting undergraduate students’ metacognition of learning: implementing ‘meta-learning’ assessment tasks in the biomedical sciences. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 43 (2), 272-285. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2017.1334872
Ainscough, Louise, Stewart, Ellen, Colthorpe, Kay and Zimbardi, Kirsten (2017). Learning hindrances and self-regulated learning strategies reported by undergraduate students: identifying characteristics of resilient students. Studies in Higher Education, 43 (12), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/03075079.2017.1315085
Colthorpe, Kay, Abraha, Hyab Mehari, Zimbardi, Kirsten, Ainscough, Louise, Spiers, Jereme G. , Chen, Hsiao-Jou and Lavidis, Nickolas A. (2017). Assessing students' ability to critically evaluate evidence in an inquiry-based undergraduate laboratory course. Advances in Physiology Education, 41 (1), 154-162. doi: 10.1152/advan.00118.2016
Ainscough, Louise, Foulis, Eden, Colthorpe, Kay, Zimbardi, Kirsten, Robertson-Dean, Melanie, Chunduri, Prasad and Lluka, Lesley (2016). Changes in biology self-efficacy during a first-year university course. CBE Life Sciences Education, 15 (2) 19, 19.1-19.12. doi: 10.1187/cbe.15-04-0092
Zimbardi, Kirsten, Colthorpe, Kay, Dekker, Andrew, Engstrom, Craig, Bugarcic, Andrea, Worthy, Peter, Victor, Ruban, Chunduri, Prasad, Lluka, Lesley and Long, Phil (2016). Are they using my feedback? The extent of students’ feedback use has a large impact on subsequent academic performance. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 42 (4), 1-20. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2016.1174187
Beaven, Elizabeth A., Colthorpe, Kay L., Spiers, Jereme G., Chen, Hsiao-Jou Cortina, Lavidis, Nickolas A. and Albrecht, Julie (2016). Oral administration of green plant-derived chemicals and antioxidants alleviates stress-induced cellular oxidative challenge. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 27 (5), 515-521. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2016-0006
Zimbardi, Kirsten, Loyle-Langholz, Anne, Kibedi, Judit and Colthorpe, Kay (2015). Using inquiry-based practicals to promote students’ critical evaluation of the scientific literature and maturation of their understanding of the nature of scientific knowledge. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 23 (5), 91-103.
Cheesman, Matthew J., Chunduri, Prasad, Manchadi, Mary Louise, Colthorpe, Kay and Matthews, Ben (2015). Student Interaction with a Computer Tablet Exam Application Replicating the Traditional Paper Exam. Mobile Computing, 4, 10-21. doi: 10.14355/mc.2015.04.002
Good, Jonathon, Colthorpe, Kay, Zimbardi, Kirsten and Kafer, Georgia (2015). The roles of mentoring and motivation in student teaching assistant interactions and in improving experience in first-Year biology laboratory classes. Journal of College Science Teaching, 44 (4), 88-98. doi: 10.2505/4/jcst15_044_04_88
Colthorpe, Kay, Zimbardi, Kirsten, Bugarcic, Andrea and Smith, Aaron (2015). Progressive development of scientific literacy through assessment in inquiry-based biomedical science curricula. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 23 (5), 52-64.
Colthorpe, Kay, Zimbardi, Kirsten, Ainscough, Louise and Anderson, Stephen (2015). Know thy student! Combining learning analytics and critical reflections to develop a targeted intervention for promoting self-regulated learning. Journal of Learning Analytics, 2 (1), 134-155. doi: 10.18608/jla.2015.21.7
Bugarcic, Andrea, Colthorpe, Kay, Farrand, Kirsten, Su, Hing Wee and Jackson, Kelly (2014). The development of undergraduate science students’ scientific argument skills in oral presentations. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematice Education, 22 (5), 43-60.
Colthorpe, Kay, Chen, Xuebin and Zimbardi, Kirsten (2014). Peer feedback enhances a "journal club" for undergraduate science students that develops oral communication and critical evaluation skills. Journal of Learning Design, 7 (2), 105-119. doi: 10.5204/jld.v7i2.198
Rowland, Susan, Colthorpe, Kay and Beames, Stephanie (2014). Editorial – Welcome to volume 22, numbers 4 & 5. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 22 (4).
Rowland, Susan, Colthorpe, Kay and Beames, Stephanie (2014). Editorial. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 22 (5)
Rowland, Susan, Colthorpe, Kay and Beames, Stephanie (2014). Editorial. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 22 (4), i-ii.
Chunduri, Prasad, Lluka, Lesley, Kinna, Genevieve, Good, Jonathan, Zimbardi, Kirsten and Colthorpe, Kay (2014). A simple way to cultivate referencing habits in first year biology students. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 22 (2), 75-84.
Zimbardi, Kirsten, Bugarcic, Andrea, Colthorpe, Kay, Good, Jonathon P. and Lluka, Lesley (2013). A set of vertically integrated inquiry-based practical curricula that develop scientific thinking skills for large cohorts of undergraduate students. Advances In Physiology Education, 37 (4), 303-315. doi: 10.1152/advan.00082.2012
Colthorpe, Kay, Liang, Shaohong and Zimbardi, Kisten (2013). Facilitating timely feedback in the biomedical sciences. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education (formerly CAL-Laborate International), 21 (3), 60-74.
Ernst, Hardy, Harrison, John and Colthorpe, Kay (2012). Mobile learning materials as a 'prompt' for participation in physiology practical classes. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 6 (1), 25-37. doi: 10.1504/IJMLO.2012.046880
Ernst, Hardy and Colthorpe, Kay (2008). Expanding voluntary active-learning opportunities for pharmacy students in a respiratory physiology module. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 72 (2) 28, Article Number: 28. doi: 10.5688/aj720228
Ernst, H and Colthorpe, K (2007). The efficacy of interactive lecturing for students with diverse science backgrounds. Advances In Physiology Education, 31 (1), 41-44. doi: 10.1152/advan.00107.2006
Colthorpe, KL, Nalliah, J, Anderson, ST and Curlewis, JD (2000). Adrenoceptor subtype involvement in suppression of Prolactin secretion by Noradrenaline. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 12 (4), 297-302. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2000.00450.x
Colthorpe, KL, Anderson, ST, Martin, GB and Curlewis, JD (1998). Hypothalamic dopamine D1 receptors are involved in the stimulation of prolactin secretion by high environmental temperature in the female sheep. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 10 (7), 503-509. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.1998.00230.x
Colthorpe K.L. and Curlewis J.D. (1996). Localization and characterization of dopamine d1 receptors in sheep hypothalamus and striatum. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 8 (7), 561-568. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.1996.49210.x
Conference Papers
Anderson, S.T. and Colthorpe, K. (2024). Investigating how biomedical science students understand complexity. 4th International Conference on Science and Technology Education 2024 (STE 2024), Porto, Portugal, 3-4 October 2024. Quântica Editora.
Anderson, Stephen and Colthorpe, Kay (2024). Dealing with complexity: a key capability for biomedical and health science students. International Conference of Physiological Sciences, Qingdao, China, 22-25 August 2024. Chinese Association for Physiological Sciences.
Richards, Emma, Colthorpe, Kay, Ainscough, Louise and Akison, Lisa (2024). Developing professional identity of biomedical science students. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Canberra, ACT Australia, 18-20 September 2024.
Akison, Lisa K., Patti, Jordon, Ainscough, Louise and Colthorpe, Kay (2022). Embedding art in histology teaching: Visual thinking strategies (VTS) to enhance visual literacy. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Perth, WA, Australia, 28-29 September 2022.
Colthorpe, Kay, Lim, Yit Chiun, Ainscough, Louise and Anderson, Stephen Todd (2022). Learning gains of students in differing delivery modes of physiology laboratory classes. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Perth, WA Australia, 28-30 September 2022. Camperdown, NSW Australia: The University of Sydney.
Ainscough, Louise, Leung, Richard, Colthorpe, Kay and Langfield, Tracey (2019). Characterizing university students’ self-regulated learning behavior using dispositional learning analytics. 5th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’19), Valencia, Spain, 26-28 June 2019. Valencia, Spain: Universitat Politècnica València. doi: 10.4995/head19.2019.9153
Colthorpe, Kay, Gray, Harrison, Ernst, Hardy and Ainscough, Louise (2019). How authentic is it? Evaluating the products of an authentic assessment task. International Conference on Higher Education Advances, Valencia, Spain, 26-28 June 2019. Valencia, Spain: Universitat Politècnica València. doi: 10.4995/head19.2019.9067
Vasudeva, S., Colthorpe, K.L. and Anderson S.T. (2019). Challenges and opportunities in the new blended learning paradigm. The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2-4 October 2019.
Vasudeva, Sanjay, Colthorpe, Kay and Ernst, Hardy (2017). Student-initiated mobile learning in higher education. 16th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning, mLearn 2017, Larnaca, Cyprus, October 30-1, 2017. New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/3136907.3136914
Colthorpe, K. L., Zimbardi, K., Dekker, A., Hay, P., Engstrom, C., Bugarcic, A., Long, P., Lluka, L. J., Chunduri, P., Worthy, P. and Marrington, J. (2013). Enhancing feedback provision and use through in situ audio commenting. IUPS 2013: International Union of Physiological Societies XXXVII Congress, Birmingham, UK, 21-26 July, 2013. Oxford, UK: London Physiological Society.
Colthorpe, Kay, Zimbardi, Kirsten, Dekker, Andrew, Hay, Peter, Engstrom, Craig, Bugarcic, Andrea, Long, Phil, Lluka, Lesley, Chunduri, Prasad and Worthy, Pete (2013). Enhancing feedback provision and use to promote learning through assessment. 36th HERDSA Annual Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 1-4 July, 2013.
Zimbardi, K., Colthorpe, K., Kibedi, J. and Long, P. (2013). Developing students' advanced scientific thinking skills through effective inquiry-based physiology practical classes. IUPS 2013: International Union of Physiological Societies XXXVII Congress, Birmingham, UK, 21-26 July, 2013. Oxford, UK: London Physiological Society.
Zimbardi, Kirsten, Colthorpe, Kay, Kibedi, Judit and Long, Phil (2013). Student self-assessment of the development of advanced scientific thinking skills during inquiry-based physiology practical classes using an innovative e-learning tool for annotating videos. IUPS 2013: IUPS & ADInstruments Teaching Workshop, Bristol, UK, July 18-21, 2013. Bristol, UK: University of Bristol.
Colthorpe, K., Dekker, A., Zimbardi, K., Long, P., Lluka, L. J., Chunduri, P., Bugarcic, A., Hay, P., Engstrom, C., Worthy, P. and Marrington, J. (2012). UQMarkUP: effective feedback and consistent assessment for large cohorts with e-learning enabled ‘in situ’ commenting. 2nd Annual CUBEnet Forum, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 10-11 December 2012.
Dekker, Andrew, Zimbardi, Kirsten, Long, Phil, Hay, Peter, Engstrom, Craig, Bugarcic, Andrea, Colthorpe, Kay, Lluka, Lesley, Chunduri, Prasad, Marrington, Justin and Worthy, Peter (2012). Examining the use of in-situ audio annotations to provide feedback to students. SoLAR Southern Flare Conference, Sydney, Australia, 29-30 November 2012.
Farrand-Zimbardi, Kirsten, Colthorpe, Kay L., Good, Jon P. and Lluka, Lesley J. (2010). Becoming a scientist: The development of students’ skills in scientific investigation and communication through a vertically integrated model of inquiry-based practical curricula. 2010 Annual Conference of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL 2010), Liverpool, U.K., 19 - 22 October.
Matthews, K.E., Andrews, Victoria, Colthorpe, Kay L., Thorn, Peter and Curlewis, Jonathan D. (2010). Capstones under construction: A work-in-progress. The 2010 Assessment Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., 25-26 October 2010.
Matthews, Kelly E., Andrews, Victoria, Colthorpe, Kay, Curlewis, Jon and Thorn, Peter (2010). Student learning outcomes in the biomedical sciences: The role of capstones. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference (ISSOTL10) incorporating the 18th Improving Student Learning Symposium, Liverpool, U.K., 19-22 October 2010. Indiana, IN, U.S.A.: International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
Matthews, K.E., Andrews, Victoria, Thorn, Peter, Curlewis, Jon and Colthorpe, Kay (2010). Evaluating student outcomes in the biomedical sciences through capstone courses. 33rd HERDSA Annual Conference, Melbourne , Australia, 6-9 July 2010.
Lluka, Lesley J., Colthorpe, Kay L., Good, Jon, Chunduri, Prasad G. and Farrand-Zimbardi, Kirsten (2010). The development of a vertically integrated model of inquiry-based practical curricula to help students to learn to ‘think like a scientist’. 2010 Annual Conference of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL 2010), Liverpool, U.K., 19 - 22 October 2010.
Colthorpe, Kay L., Farrand-Zimbardi, Kirsten and Kibedi, Judit (2010). Using oral assessment tasks to guide the development of scientific reasoning skills in undergraduate science students. 2010 Annual Conference of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL 2010), Liverpool, U.K., 19 - 22 October 2010.
Farrand, Kirsten, Kibedi, Judit, Colthorpe, Kay L., Good, Jon and Lluka, Lesley J. (2009). Creating physiology graduates who “think and sound like scientists”. Third National Attributes Graduate Project Symposia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 9 July 2009.
Good, J. P., Ernst, H., Farrand, K. and Colthorpe, K. (2008). Do students with a strong preference toward the reading/writing learning style underperform in student-centred, inquiry-based laboratory classes?. 31st Annual Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Conference, Rotorua, New Zealand, 1-4 July 2008.
Hardy, Ernst, Good, Jonathon, Colthorpe, Kay, Myatt, Paula and Andrews, Trish (2008). Enhancing students’ learning experience through mLearning; using VODcasts to motivate and engage students?. Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) 2008 International Conference, Rotorua, New Zealand, 1-4 July 2008. Milperra, NSW, Australia: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.
Ernst, H. G. G. and Colthorpe, K. L. (2005). The effectivness of increased learning interactivity in large-class lectures. Effective Teaching and Learning Conference, Logan Campus, 4-5 Nov. 2004. Logan, Australia: Griffith Institute for Higher Education.
Colthorpe, K. L. and Ernst, H. G. G. (2005). Using Increased interactivity and student presentations during Physiology laboratory sessions to improve active learning and conceptual understanding. Effective Teaching and Learning Conference, Logan Campus, 4-5 Nov. 2004. Logan, Australia: Griffith Institute for Higher Education.
Colthorpe, K. L., Anderson, S. T., Martin, G. B. and Curlewis, J. D. (1997). Are dopamine D1 receptors in the VMH involved in prolactin secretion during stress?. Australian Society for Reproductive Biology , Canberra, ACT Australia, 29 September - 1 October 1997.
Nalliah, J. R., Anderson, S. T., Colthorpe, K. L. and Curlewis, J. D. (1997). Role of noradrenaline as a prolactin release-inhibiting factor in sheep. Australian Society for Reproductive Biology , Canberra, ACT Australia, 29 September - 1 October 1997.