Teaching and learning innovation

Dr. Salah Al Shehade

Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)

Senior Lecturer • Pharmacology & Toxicology

KOMPONEN 3 - Inovasi Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran

Pernyataan Kreativiti dan Inovasi Creativity and Innovation Statement

My teaching innovations are driven by the integration of cutting-edge computational research tools directly into the pharmacy classroom. As the founder of the InSilicoΣ platform, I bring AI-powered drug discovery and cheminformatics tools - originally developed for research - into the learning environment.

Each innovation below aligns with my teaching philosophy (Komponen 1) and teaching methods (Komponen 2), creating a coherent and mutually reinforcing educational approach.

Inovasi Pengajaran Teaching Innovations - Original, Significant, Relevant

1. InSilicoΣ in the Classroom

Original Significant Relevant

Students use APPAS and NEXUM tools - developed in my research lab - to perform polymer informatics and network pharmacology during practicals. This provides hands-on AI-powered drug discovery experience typically only available in advanced research settings.

2. Live Molecular Docking Demonstrations

Original Relevant

Instead of static textbook diagrams, I conduct live molecular docking using AutoDock and PyMOL during lectures. Students visualise drug-receptor interactions in real-time, manipulate 3D protein structures, and understand binding affinity concepts experientially.

3. Research-to-Classroom PBL Cases

Original Significant

PBL cases are designed from my own published research - e.g., the role of Orthosiphon aristatus in alleviating NAFLD, FXR receptor agonist design, and network pharmacology of natural products. Students experience the actual research-to-publication process.

4. Flipped Pharmacology with Video Microlearning

Significant Relevant

Short (10–15 min) pre-class video modules on complex pharmacology mechanisms are hosted on the LMS with embedded quizzes. Face-to-face time is then devoted entirely to application and higher-order activities.

Kaedah yang Memupuk KBAT Methods that Promote Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

  • Analyse (C4): Students interpret molecular docking output scores and compare binding affinities of drug candidates to identify the most promising leads.
  • Evaluate (C5): PBL groups critically appraise published pharmacological evidence to justify their therapeutic recommendations for NAFLD or metabolic disease cases.
  • Create (C6): Students design their own mini computational drug discovery project proposals, selecting targets, docking ligands, and predicting ADMET properties using InSilicoΣ tools.

Impak Inovasi terhadap Kualiti Pengajaran Impact of Innovation on Teaching Quality

Peningkatan Pencapaian Pelajar (Student Achievement Improvement)

[Insert evidence: comparison of grades before/after innovation, student performance data, pass rates improvement, higher proportion of A/B grades in pharmacology courses.]

Kualiti Hasil Kerja Pelajar (Quality of Student Work)

[Insert evidence: quality of PBL reports, depth of lab analysis, examples of outstanding student projects using molecular docking or InSilicoΣ tools.]

Supporting Evidence

  • Student feedback / course evaluation scores
  • Samples of student work (PBL reports, docking projects)
  • Before-and-after grade distribution analysis
  • Screenshots of InSilicoΣ tools used in class
  • Workshop attendance records (molecular docking workshops)

Portfolio Pensyarah • Dr. Salah Al Shehade • Faculty of Pharmacy, UniSZA • Komponen 3: Inovasi Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran • Dikemaskini: April 2026

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