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Giojalas LC, Guidobaldi HA, Cragnolini AB, Franchi AN, Garcia Romano L, Bermudez GMA, Danelon V, Moreno Irusta A, Domínguez EM, Figueras López MJ. Understanding new molecular and cell biology findings based on progressive scientific practices and interconnected activities in undergraduate students. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 2021; 49:198-209. [PMID: 32823370 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays Molecular Cell Biology (MCB) must be taught as science is practiced. Even though there are several approaches based on scientific practices, a key aspect is to define the purpose of each of these teaching strategies and, most importantly, their implementation. Our goal was to train students to acquire, understand, and communicate new scientific knowledge in the field. The main feature of our new teaching methodology was progressive training in scientific practices associated with a back-and-forward interplay between activities and assessments. The methodology was implemented over 4 years, in students attending the MCB course of the undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences. In the first two modules, the students were prepared to comprehend MCB concepts and techniques and to experience activities based on scientific practices. In the third module, the students analyzed a primary paper in-depth. They were assessed by midterm exams based on a primary paper, written laboratory reports, and the oral presentation of a scientific paper. Our teaching proposal was evaluated through the students' academic performance and by their opinion on the teaching methodology. Most students were satisfied since they improved their acquisition of concepts, their interpretation and integration of scientific knowledge, and developed skills to communicate scientific knowledge in writing and orally. The novelty of transversal interconnections and progressive training in scientific practices provides students with skills in acquiring and understanding new scientific information, even beyond the MCB course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Giojalas
- Biología Celular y Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Hector A Guidobaldi
- Biología Celular y Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Andrea B Cragnolini
- Biología Celular y Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Anahi N Franchi
- Biología Celular y Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Leticia Garcia Romano
- Taller Educativo I y II, Depto. de Enseñanza de la Ciencia y Tecnología, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo M A Bermudez
- Didáctica General y Didáctica Especial, Depto. de Enseñanza de la Ciencia y Tecnología, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Victor Danelon
- Biología Celular y Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ayelen Moreno Irusta
- Biología Celular y Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Esteban M Domínguez
- Biología Celular y Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Maria J Figueras López
- Biología Celular y Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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