The Use of the Web to Teach Students in an Interactive Manner How to Design and Analyze a Laboratory Experiment

Jean D. Deupree, Ph.D.

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Abstract:

A web-based tutorial has been designed to teach students how to do receptor binding studies. The goal of the tutorial is that upon completion the student will be able to design, set up, run and analyze a receptor binding experiment.

The objectives of the web site are to:

· Simulate the steps required for doing receptor binding experiments using an interactive process that is different from the way information can be presented in a text book.

· Provide the basic information that students need to understand the purpose of the experiment, the experimental design and the analysis of the data.

· Lead the student step by step, in an interactive manner, through the design of a sample experiment, analysis of the data and interpretation of the results

The basic format of the web site is:

· The web site is split into the basic types of receptor binding experiments

· In each section the student is presented with basic questions that need to be addressed when designing the experiments. The answers to the questions appear in pop-up boxes on the screen.

· The student has multiple ways of navigating through the site. Novices can go from one page to the next. The more advanced students can easily find the information that they need using the site map or preview buttons.

· The experiments are set up in dry laboratory form. First the student is taught the basic experimental protocol that needs to be followed using a series of questions and answers. Images are used to show how the test tubes should be set up. Then the student is asked to design an experiment using a series of questions with answers in pop-up boxes. The student is then asked to calculate the concentration of the required reagents. They are given instant feed back as to whether they did it correctly.

· The student is lead step by step through the analysis of the data. At each step the student is asked to calculate the results of a simulated experiment. The student is provided with instant feedback as to whether he or she is correct. If the student is wrong, a hint is provided on to do the calculation.

· The student is shown graphs of the results and lead through the interpretation of the results.

· Students using this program are graduate students, technicians and any scientist wanting to learn how to do these types of studies. The student is expected to know basic laboratory techniques, such as pipetting, and how to prepare reagents, prior to using the tutorial.

Benefit in Attending Session:

Those attending the demonstration will:

· Learn methods that can be used to present laboratory techniques on the web

· Observe a way of presenting basic information as questions with answers in pop-up boxes rather than as straight text.

· Observe how to use the web to lead students through the design of an experiment using simulations of reagents being added to test tubes

· Observe the use of the web to do data transformations in an interactive manner.

PRIMARY AUTHOR'S INFORMATION

Jean D. Deupree, Ph.D.

Department of Pharmacology

University of Nebraska Medical Center

986260 Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, NE 68198-6260

Telephone Number: 402-559-4565

Fax Number: 402-559-7495

E-mail Address: jddeupre@unmc.edu