Adopt a Bacterium - an active and collaborative learning experience in microbiology based on social media

Area of Science:

• Microbiology Education
• Educational Technology
• Social Media in Academia

Background:

• Traditional microbiology education can be enhanced with innovative pedagogical tools.
• Social networks offer platforms for collaborative learning and knowledge exchange.
• Engaging undergraduate students in active learning is crucial for effective science education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the "Adopt a Bacterium" project in undergraduate microbiology education.
• To assess the impact of social media integration on student learning and engagement.
• To determine the long-term knowledge retention of students participating in the project.

Main Methods:

• Students formed groups to "adopt" and post information about specific bacterial genera on social media (Facebook®).
• Formative assessment included social media posts; summative assessment involved seminar presentations.
• Anonymous surveys were used to gather student feedback, and knowledge retention was assessed six months post-course.

Main Results:

• The majority of students reported enjoyment and a positive evaluation of the "Adopt a Bacterium" project.
• Students demonstrated a shift in information processing, particularly in using scientific sources.
• Significant recall of relevant microbiology concepts was observed six months after course completion.

Conclusions:

• The "Adopt a Bacterium" project is an effective strategy for enhancing microbiology learning.
• Social media integration can foster collaborative learning and improve student engagement.
• The project's success suggests its applicability to other academic disciplines.