Proposal Title
Choose Your Own Adventure: A safe place for students to make mistakes
Session Type
Presentation
Room
P&A Rm 148
Start Date
July 2015
Keywords
simulation, laboratory, experimental design, blended learning
Primary Threads
Education Technologies and Innovative Resources
Abstract
How much do students really retain by simply reading a laboratory protocol? This presentation will provide participants with an opportunity to consider how simulations can be used in science to facilitate student understanding of complex laboratory procedures. This presentation will focus on a new third year medical sciences laboratory. The aforementioned laboratory is a reimagining of the laboratory experience, whereby learning is blended and extended. Prior to lab, students will complete a “choose your own adventure” style laboratory simulation. In the simulation students will be presented with a scenario, and must execute the experiment through selecting different options (such as quantities of reagent to add, order of steps, and analysis of data). Selections will lead students down different experimental “paths” where they can receive feedback on their choices. The simulation is a formative assessment that allows students to safely “fail” before attending the wet laboratory session. Participants will learn about the theory of simulation in laboratory settings. They will also learn about approaches to blending a laboratory course and the potential to use the “choose your own adventure” style of simulation for a variety of scientific disciplines. Participants will have the opportunity to try a simulation and are encouraged to bring their own device. The session will conclude with a discussion of the education scholarship that will evaluate students’ use of the simulation, as well as their attitudes to the efficacy of the simulation in regards to their understanding of laboratory protocols.
Elements of Engagement
The presentation will be coordinated by two presenters. Participants will be encouraged to "bring their own device" (laptop, tablet, etc.) so that they may try out the simulation during the session. Following a time to use the simulation, participants will be encouraged to "think, pair, share" regarding the simulation and its ease of use, pedagogy, etc. A brief discussion among participants and the presenters will then follow.
Choose Your Own Adventure: A safe place for students to make mistakes
P&A Rm 148
How much do students really retain by simply reading a laboratory protocol? This presentation will provide participants with an opportunity to consider how simulations can be used in science to facilitate student understanding of complex laboratory procedures. This presentation will focus on a new third year medical sciences laboratory. The aforementioned laboratory is a reimagining of the laboratory experience, whereby learning is blended and extended. Prior to lab, students will complete a “choose your own adventure” style laboratory simulation. In the simulation students will be presented with a scenario, and must execute the experiment through selecting different options (such as quantities of reagent to add, order of steps, and analysis of data). Selections will lead students down different experimental “paths” where they can receive feedback on their choices. The simulation is a formative assessment that allows students to safely “fail” before attending the wet laboratory session. Participants will learn about the theory of simulation in laboratory settings. They will also learn about approaches to blending a laboratory course and the potential to use the “choose your own adventure” style of simulation for a variety of scientific disciplines. Participants will have the opportunity to try a simulation and are encouraged to bring their own device. The session will conclude with a discussion of the education scholarship that will evaluate students’ use of the simulation, as well as their attitudes to the efficacy of the simulation in regards to their understanding of laboratory protocols.