Lesson Challenge Winner: Online Components of Microbiology Labs

Ferris State University is developing a modular online laboratory manual to enhance student participation and learning in introductory Microbiology courses. These modules include animations, embedded videos, and library resources.

In the past, instructors used a variety of published laboratory exercises in these classes but all exhibited the same shortcomings.  The students rarely read the exercises, they poorly understood the concepts and procedures, and demonstrated low retention. As a result, faculty spent too much time on pre-lab talks and trouble-shooting rather than facilitating student learning.

SoftChalk laboratory modules are being developed to address this situation. They have been simple to author and easy to deploy as SCORM modules in our LMS. Instructors can now track and grade student pre-lab activities – remediating as necessary in class. In addition, these resources have simplified document distribution in the lab and serve as an excellent review mechanism for quizzes and exams. The online modules, furthermore, reduce student costs by replacing relatively expensive published manuals for the course.

During this session, you will see several of the lab modules that have been created thus far and how they are incorporated into the learning management system.  In addition, we will discuss how the students and faculty at Ferris State University have received these modules.

Presenter: Dr. Clifton Franklund, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Ferris State University

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