Production of visualized protocols for teaching/learning Modern Experimental Biology

Abstract

Production of visualized protocols for 5 items of advanced scientific instruments (techniques) was carried out in this project. The purpose was to capitalize on the power of video technology to capture the multiple facets and intricacies of life science research (in the form of "Visualized Protocols"), and efficiently transmitting the knowledge to CityU students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Visualized protocols are expected to facilitate the implementation and learning of many basic and complex experimental techniques in modern biology. Several sets of "visualized protocols" were designed in this project to help Life science students to appreciate/achieve: (1) a higher transparency and better reproducibility of biological experiments; (2) improved time and labor management 1n learning new experimental techniques; and (3) improved efficiency in performance of life science research. Undergraduate and postgraduate students were recruited to assist with the evaluation of some of the "Visualized Protocols". Students who participated in the evaluation exercises were given post-video quizzes to gauge how well they understood the application and implementation issues related to certain items of equipment and related techniques. Results from the post-video quizzes were used to assess the effectiveness of the "Visualized protocols" based on students' opinions on the knowledge and understanding that they have acquired on the relevant scientific principles and use of a specific equipment/technique.