Stay-on-Task Exercises as a Tool To Maintain Focus during a CRISPR CURE.

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Genomics
• Biotechnology
• Science Education

Background:

• Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) provide authentic research opportunities in academic settings.
• CRISPR genome editing is a powerful tool for biological research and education.
• Asynchronous activities within CUREs can disrupt classroom structure and student focus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a CRISPR-focused CURE for undergraduate and graduate students.
• To address the challenge of maintaining student engagement and structure during asynchronous CURE activities.
• To introduce a novel pedagogical tool, stay-on-task exercises (SOTEs), to enhance CURE effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Development of a CRISPR CURE involving in silico, in vitro, and in vivo genome editing techniques.
• Implementation of short, low-stakes stay-on-task exercises (SOTEs) during asynchronous incubation periods.
• Assessment of SOTEs for their ability to maintain classroom structure and complement CURE learning objectives.

Main Results:

• SOTEs were found to be an effective method for maintaining classroom structure during the CRISPR CURE.
• The asynchronous nature of CURE activities was identified as a potential disruptor to productive class time.
• SOTEs successfully leveraged potentially unproductive time, complementing the CURE's learning goals.

Conclusions:

• Stay-on-task exercises (SOTEs) are a valuable tool for enhancing the structure and effectiveness of CUREs, particularly those with asynchronous components.
• The modular design of SOTEs allows for easy adaptation to various course objectives and complexity levels.
• Integrating SOTEs into CRISPR CUREs can improve student engagement and optimize learning outcomes in authentic research settings.