Improving undergraduate learning experience of biochemical techniques by the flipped class approach

Abstract

The basic purpose of any biochemistry course on laboratory techniques is to enable students to acquire the necessary technical competence, and to demonstrate resourcefulness when working in a biochemistry laboratory. Traditionally, biochemistry techniques are taught through a prescriptive set of practical instructions, ie, the lab protocol. Students are supposed to read the lab protocol before starting to work on a set of laboratory/practical exercises. However, the effectiveness of such an approach is significantly influenced by the preparedness of students who may not be able to achieve sufficient understanding of the contents in the protocol, and/or being unable to foresee any technical problems that may arise during the practical class. Undergraduate practical classes are usually aided by demonstrators who are themselves research postgraduate students. However, the amount of assistance that students could receive from demonstrators may at times be limited for various reasons. We have attempted to convert a biochemistry practical class from the traditional to a flipped class model with the purpose of testing if the latter approach would be a better alternative to achieve the learning outcomes of a typical biochemistry technique course. Here, we describe how a biochemistry practical class could be designed along the basic principle of flipped class teaching. The results of a preliminary student survey at the completion of the practical class suggest that students found it much easier to become adequately prepared before the practical session through watching online video demonstrations. In-class group discussions, worksheets, and Q&A activities promoted active and deeper learning. It is proposed that this new teaching approach is more effective in nurturing students with the ability to unify theory with practice, and to cultivate more critical thinking so as to build up a research culture in an undergraduate curriculum.