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Moving a Journal Article-Based Upper-Level Microbiology Dry Lab from In-Person to Online Instruction
1Microbion Research, Peoria, AZ 85382.
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
|April 22, 2021
Summary
This study explored a journal article-based microbiology lab course. In-person instruction yielded better student work than online, highlighting the need for enhanced virtual tools for remote learning.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology Education
- Laboratory Course Design
Background:
- A journal article-based, upper-level microbiology laboratory course was implemented using a dry lab format.
- Most students had prior experience with traditional wet laboratory microbiology courses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a journal article-based dry lab format in microbiology.
- To compare student performance in in-person versus online learning environments.
Main Methods:
- The course involved discussing primary literature articles and developing research proposals.
- Instruction transitioned from in-person to online via Canvas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Student engagement and work quality were assessed during both instructional modes.
Main Results:
- Student performance on article questions and research proposals was superior during in-person instruction.
- Active discussions occurred during in-person sessions, while online discussions were limited.
- The shift to online learning, without video instruction, impacted student engagement and output.
Conclusions:
- Adapting journal article-based labs to fully online formats is feasible but challenging.
- Effective online adaptation requires significant instructor training and the integration of video conferencing tools like Zoom.
- Maintaining high-quality student engagement and learning outcomes in remote microbiology labs necessitates robust virtual interaction strategies.
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