(364d) E-Lessons As Pre-Laboratory Training Tool

To increase cognizance among Chemical Engineering undergraduates of the new technologies brought in by the fast growing pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical sector, a growing number of Chemical Engineering schools are introducing bioanalytical experiments in their undergraduate laboratory modules. Two difficulties often faced by students when performing bioanalytical experiments are: large amount of information to be processed during the laboratory session and the fact that they often lack the background theory of the experiment they are about to perform. Limited or no background knowledge, in combination with overload of information in a short period, hinders studentsâ?? learning, often restricting their learning to mere observation. A viable solution to this challenge, especially for large classes, lies in providing pre-laboratory training to the students. This presentation discusses the development and use of e-lessons as a pre-laboratory training tool to augment studentsâ?? laboratory experience. The pilot study involved creating e-lessons for two bioanalytics experiments: polymerase chain reaction and high performance liquid chromatography. Each e-lesson consisted of two screencasts and a self-assessment quiz. Student feedback showed that e-lessons provided the much needed guidance to the students, making learning more personalized and allowing students to have better control over their learning.