INVESTIGADORES
RAJAL veronica Beatriz
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
New Teaching Strategies to Improve Student Performance in Fundamentals of Biotechnology
Autor/es:
VERÓNICA B. RAJAL; ALICIA CID; CARLOS CUEVAS
Lugar:
Denver
Reunión:
Congreso; 16th Annual Conference for Undergraduate Educators; 2009
Institución organizadora:
ASM
Resumen:
Fundamentals in Biotechnology is part of the Chemical
Engineering curriculum at the Universidad Nacional de Salta, in northwest Argentina.
This course, given for four months in the 4th (of 5) years of study, includes
concepts of general microbiology, biochemistry and industrial microbiology and
is the first contact of students with biological issues. Until 2007 the classes
were organized as lectures (2 hours per week, optional) and practicals 9
laboratories and 4 problems-- (3 hours per week, mandatory). About 45% of
students (from a total of 30-40) passed the course, a low pass rate compared to
other classes. Two new strategies were adopted to improve performance.
In 2008, one extra hour per week was added for a
practical class that was dedicated to Complementary activities. This class
included different types of work: information search, search of news in
biotechnology, analysis and interpretation of figures from scientific
literature, and basic calculations with discussion in all cases.
We also asked the students, organized in small groups,
to prepare an Integration Seminar on different biotechnologically obtained
products to be presented orally to the whole class. The students had to
identify the microorganism and characteristics, the taxonomy, the biochemistry,
the flow sheet of the industrial process and the down-stream requirements
involved. To complete this requirement they had to revise and integrate all of
the content taught during the course.
The percentage of students passing the course in 2008
increased to 75%, with a remarkable improvement in the grades obtained. There were also other positive
non-quantifiable outcomes like more commitment, better attitude, the
development of critical analysis, and a great interest for discussion of ideas
and interaction in class as a way of sharing and reinforcing knowledge. The results
obtained from this pilot experience correspond to only one year; however, they
are promising and inspired us to continue with these strategies, not only to
improve the performance, but to show the students the unprecedented development
of the field and the great importance of biotechnology in our lives.