Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Print ISSN: 1935-7877
The Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education is a free open access journal that features original, previously unpublished, peer-reviewed articles that foster scholarly teaching, and provide readily adoptable resources in biology education.
Latest content:
-
Just Figures: A Method to Introduce Students to Data Analysis One Figure at a Time †
-
Authors:
Julia Massimelli,
Kameryn Denaro,
Brian Sato,
Pavan Kadandale,
Nancy Boury
-
Citation: Julia Massimelli, Kameryn Denaro, Brian Sato, Pavan Kadandale, Nancy Boury. 2019. Just figures: a method to introduce students to data analysis one figure at a time † . doi:10.1128/jmbe..v20i2.1690
- More Less
-
Abstract:
Quantitative data analysis skills are basic competencies students in a STEM field should master. In this article, we describe a classroom activity using isolated figures from papers as a simple exercise to practice data analysis skills. We call this approach Just Figures. With this technique, instructors find figures from primary papers that address key concepts related to several of their course learning objectives. These figures are assigned as homework prior to class discussion. In class, instructors teach the lesson and include a 10- to 20-minute discussion of the figures assigned. Frequent and repeated discussion of paper figures during class increased students’ confidence in reading and analyzing data. The Just Figures approach also increased student accuracy when interpreting data. After six weeks of Just Figures practice, students scored, on average, three points higher on a 20-point data analysis assessment instrument than they had done before the Just Figures exercises. In addition, a course in which students consistently practiced Just Figures performed just as well on the data analysis assessment instrument and on a class exam dedicated to paper reading compared with courses where students practiced reading three entire papers. The Just Figures method is easy to implement and can effectively improve student data analysis skills in microbiology classrooms.
-
-
Undergraduates Phenotyping Arabidopsis Knockouts in a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience: Exploring Plant Fitness and Vigor Using Quantitative Phenotyping Methods †
-
Authors:
Courtney J. Murren,
Michael J. Wolyniak,
Matthew T. Rutter,
April M. Bisner,
Hilary S. Callahan,
Allan E. Strand,
Lisa A. Corwin
-
Citation: Courtney J. Murren, Michael J. Wolyniak, Matthew T. Rutter, April M. Bisner, Hilary S. Callahan, Allan E. Strand, Lisa A. Corwin. 2019. Undergraduates phenotyping arabidopsis knockouts in a course-based undergraduate research experience: exploring plant fitness and vigor using quantitative phenotyping methods † . doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1650
- More Less
-
Abstract:
We present a curriculum description, an initial student outcome investigation, and sample scientific results for a representative Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) that is part of the “Undergraduates Phenotyping Arabidopsis Knockouts” (unPAK) network. CUREs in the unPAK network characterize quantitative phenotypes of the model plant Arabidopsis from across environments to uncover connections between genotype and phenotype. Students in unPAK CUREs grow plants in a replicated block design and make quantitative measurements throughout the semester. This CURE enables students to answer plant science questions that draw from fields such as environmental science, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Findings indicate that this experience provides students with opportunities to make relevant scientific discoveries. Eighty percent of student datasets produced from the CURE met criteria for inclusion in the project database, indicative of student learning in data collection and analysis of quantitative plant traits. Student datasets uncovered novel effects of mutation on plant form. In addition, students’ science self-efficacy increased as a result of course participation, and faculty feedback on course implementation was positive. We present unPAK as a new network that supports CUREs and research experiences focused on collecting biological data made publicly available to the scientific community. The unPAK CUREs can be tailored to address instructor interests or pedagogical needs while involving students in research investigating quantitative plant phenotypes.
-
-
A Virtual Tour of the Cell: Impact of Virtual Reality on Student Learning and Engagement in the STEM Classroom †
-
Authors:
Jennifer A. Bennett,
Colin P. Saunders
-
Citation: Jennifer A. Bennett, Colin P. Saunders. 2019. A virtual tour of the cell: impact of virtual reality on student learning and engagement in the stem classroom † . doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1658
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This study assesses the educational impact of virtual reality (VR) on student learning and engagement in a sophomore-level cell biology course taught at Otterbein University. Using VR, students toured the cell and its environment within the human body. Next, students completed a team challenge where they worked as pairs to match images of cell components taken from the virtual reality application with the appropriate name. Finally, students were given a voluntary survey that presented questions about their perceptions of the VR experience and the associated cell sorting activity. Survey results revealed that a majority of students enjoyed the VR experience and felt that it had a positive impact on their education. These results indicate the potential supportive role that VR may have in a variety of undergraduate courses.
-
-
An Undergraduate Research Project Utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Technology to Study Gene Function in Arabidopsis thaliana †
-
Authors:
Nicholas J. Ruppel,
Lauren E. Estell,
Robert I. Jackson,
Michael J. Wolyniak
-
Citation: Nicholas J. Ruppel, Lauren E. Estell, Robert I. Jackson, Michael J. Wolyniak. 2019. An undergraduate research project utilizing crispr-cas9 gene editing technology to study gene function in arabidopsis thaliana † . doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1666
- More Less
-
Abstract:
The CRISPR-Cas9 system functions in microbial viral pathogen recognition pathways by identifying and targeting foreign DNA for degradation. Recently, biotechnological advances have allowed scientists to use CRISPR-Cas9-based elements as a molecular tool to selectively modify DNA in a wide variety of other living systems. Given the emerging need to bring engaging CRISPR-Cas9 laboratory experiences to an undergraduate audience, we incorporated a CRISPR-based research project into our Genetics class laboratories, emphasizing its use in plants. Our genetic manipulations were designed for Arabidopsis thaliana, which despite serving as a plant research model, has traditionally been difficult to use in a classroom setting. For this project, students transformed plasmid DNA containing the essential CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing elements into A. thaliana. Expression of these elements in the plant genome was expected to create a deletion at one of six targeted genes. The genes we chose had a known seedling and/or juvenile loss-of-function phenotype, which made genetic analysis by students with a limited background possible. It also allowed the project to reach completion in a typical undergraduate semester timeframe. Assessment efforts demonstrated several learning gains, including students’ understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 content, their ability to apply CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tools using bioinformatics and genetics, their ability to employ elements of experimental design, and improved science communication skills. They also felt a stronger connection to their scientific education and were more likely to continue on a STEM career path. Overall, this project can be used to introduce CRISPR-Cas9 technology to undergraduates using plants in a single-semester laboratory course.
-
-
An Experiential-Learning Lesson to Encourage Teamwork and Healthy Practices †
-
Author:
Jamie L. Brusa
-
Citation: Jamie L. Brusa. 2019. An experiential-learning lesson to encourage teamwork and healthy practices † . doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1668
- More Less
-
Abstract:
Many careers require individuals to work together as a team. However, group work or teamwork is often met with resistance in an academic setting, and students can struggle to learn the skills associated with collaboration. I present a lesson that has the overarching goal of helping students practice and learn to make healthy lifestyle choices in the context of experiential learning. Additional learning objectives are to help students understand the physiological processes related to heart disease, practice effective prevention of this medical ailment, and encourage teamwork. Students received a risk score calculated from a randomized combination of hypothetical lifestyle characteristics that affect heart disease risk. Students then spent time outside of class gaining points against their assigned risk score by engaging in specific healthy lifestyle choices outlined on their score sheet. In unannounced pretests and posttests, students showed significant learning gains related to the physiological mechanisms and preventative agents of heart disease. Practicing proper diet, physical activity, and teamwork during adolescence and early adulthood contributes to the integration of these essential healthy habits throughout adulthood. Many students reported that collaboration among the group was a key component in overcoming the challenges associated with completing heart disease prevention actions on their score sheets. The lesson promotes creativity and the building of a support network to lower their risk scores, and it provides them with the opportunity to synthesize information and evaluate their performance in the activity.
-
-
One Early Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience Produces Sustainable Knowledge Gains, but only Transient Perception Gains †
-
Authors:
Tom D. Wolkow,
Jill Jenkins,
Lisa Durrenberger,
Kylie Swanson-Hoyle,
Lisa M. Hines
-
Citation: Tom D. Wolkow, Jill Jenkins, Lisa Durrenberger, Kylie Swanson-Hoyle, Lisa M. Hines. 2019. One early course-based undergraduate research experience produces sustainable knowledge gains, but only transient perception gains † . doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1679
- More Less
-
Abstract:
Universities have been called upon to integrate research experiences into early, introductory courses to better prepare our STEM workforce. This call is primarily based on short-term studies that link research experiences with knowledge and perception gains. However, the influence of pre-existing student characteristics has not been fully disentangled from the research experience, and the long-term stability of these gains is uncertain. To address these issues, we integrated a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) into randomly assigned sections of a required freshman-level biology laboratory course. We previously reported that this CURE resulted in immediate targeted knowledge and perception gains. Here, we evaluate the stability of these gains as students progressed through a biology degree program. At sophomore year, the impact of the CURE on student perception was still apparent. When compared to controls, students who participated in the CURE perceived a greater understanding of what researchers do and an increased interest in pursuing a research career. However, by senior year, these positive perceptions had fallen to levels shared by control groups. Targeted knowledge gains persisted throughout this study. Our results support CURE logic models predicting that multiple CUREs will be required to sustain perception gains.
-
Accepted Manuscripts
PDFs of manuscripts that have been peer reviewed but not yet copyedited
No Accepted Manuscripts AvailableVolumes & Issues
About JMBE
As ASM’s first open-access online education journal, the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (JMBE) offers original, previously unpublished, peer-reviewed articles that foster scholarly teaching, and provide readily adoptable resources in biology education at the undergraduate, graduate, professional (e.g., medical school), K-12 outreach, and informal education level. JMBE is edited by informed science educators who are active in the pursuit of scholarly teaching and biology education reform. Please visit the JMBE Editorial Board page for a list of current JMBE Editors.
JMBE operates under a continuous publication model, where manuscripts are made available online as soon as they become ready. When a manuscript appears online, it will be cataloged in one of three issues: Spring (April), Back to School (August), or Winter (December). These three issues make up the year's volume. These issues may also include themed content focused on a broad, inter-disciplinary topic.
The scope of the JMBE is rooted in the biological sciences and branches to other disciplines. JMBE publishes articles addressing such topics as good pedagogy and design, student interest and motivation, recruitment and retention, citizen science, and institutional transformation. JMBE may also choose to accept manuscripts for publication in special themed issues, which cross-cut the scientific disciplines. Recent themed topics include ethics in science, scientific citizenship, and science communication.
JMBE Editors are committed to providing extensive feedback, guidance, and support for authors from submission through publication. JMBE offers a number of enhancements to ensure that the publication process is transparent and that both readers and authors get the most out of JMBE’s excellent content. JMBE reader features include free, open access content available in HTML and PDF format. JMBE author features include step-by-step Author Guidelines in multiple languages, video tutorials for each section, a manuscript self-diagnosis tool, and a comprehensive submission checklist. Authors can expect detailed feedback from the review process, in which articles undergo a blind review by at least 2-3 peer reviewers (and a lab safety committee, if applicable). For more author features, to learn about the review process, and to submit a manuscript, please visit the JMBE submission site: jmbesubmissions.asm.org.
JMBE does not charge its readership to access content. The JMBE Editorial Board is committed to providing open access online content. JMBE Editors seek to publish meaningful contributions to the conversation of science education and scholarly teaching and believe that the only way to do so is through content that is easily available to the public. JMBE is also indexed in Directory of Open Access Journals, CrossRef, and PubMed Central.
JMBE is for science educators like you. By providing perspectives and reviews that help inform instruction, vetted activities and tools that are ready to use in a classroom or laboratory setting, and research that tests those educational approaches, JMBE content is a valuable resource for science educators at any level. JMBE content will make it easy to keep up to date on and incorporate education initiatives—such as active learning—into your lesson plans and provide talking points for the science education reform conversations at your institution. Most importantly, JMBE content encourages you to review and reflect on your own teaching practices—essential for your ongoing professional development.