The use of contextual learning to teach biochemistry to dietetic students.
Biochem Mol Biol Educ
; 37(3): 137-42, 2009 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21567722
ABSTRACT
This article describes the use of contextualized and "blended" learning to teach biochemistry to dietetic students during the second year of their professional training in a 4-year undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics). Contextualized content was used to engage students and motivate them to learn biochemistry, which many perceived as a "hard" subject. Contextualized learning presented via problem solving exercises, case-studies, and by the use of virtual subjects in laboratory class introduced content material through real life situations highly relevant to their later clinical practice. A "blended" curriculum where content was presented in a number of different modalities (on-line, on CD, or face-to-face in small/large groups and in tutorials/lectures/laboratory class) further enhanced contextualized learning by providing a range of learning modalities catering to different student learning styles. The on-line and CD material also allowed student self-assessment of learning progress through interactive quizzes in varied assessment formats, where feedback was often immediate. Student responses to this biochemistry course have been positive with 89% finding it intellectually stimulating.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Biochem Mol Biol Educ
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article