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Bioinformatics Virtual Lab: Analysis of Student – Content Interaction

Publication Type : Conference Paper

Thematic Areas : Learning-Technologies, Medical Sciences, Biotech

Publisher : International Conference on Biotechnology for innovative applications, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala.

Source : International Conference on Biotechnology for innovative applications, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, 2013.

Campus : Amritapuri

School : School of Biotechnology, Centre for Cybersecurity Systems and Networks, School of Engineering

Center : Computational Neuroscience and Neurophysiology, Amrita Mind Brain Center, Biotechnology, Cyber Security, Sanitation Biotechnology

Department : cyber Security, biotechnology

Verified : Yes

Year : 2013

Abstract : Face-to-face bioinformatics courses commonly include a weekly, in-person computer lab to facilitate active learning, reinforce conceptual material, and teach practical skills. Similarly, fully-online bioinformatics courses employ hands-on exercises to achieve these outcomes, although students typically perform this work offsite. Combining a face-to-face lecture course with a web-based virtual laboratory presents new opportunities for collaborative learning of the conceptual material, and for fostering peer support of technical bioinformatics questions. To explore this combination, an in-person lecture-only undergraduate bioinformatics course was augmented with a remote web-based laboratory, and tested with a large class. This study hypothesized that the collaborative virtual lab would foster active learning and peer support, and tested this hypothesis by conducting a student survey near the end of the semester. Respondents broadly reported strong benefits from the online laboratory, and strong benefits from peer-provided technical support. In comparison with traditional in-person teaching labs, students preferred the virtual lab by a factor of two. Key aspects of the course architecture and design are described to encourage further experimentation in teaching collaborative online bioinformatics laboratories.

Cite this Research Publication : A. Shekar, Hemalatha Sasidharakurup, Dr. Bipin G. Nair, Dr. Shyam Diwakar, and Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, “Bioinformatics Virtual Lab: Analysis of Student – Content Interaction”, in International Conference on Biotechnology for innovative applications, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, 2013.

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