Evaluation of problem based learning to deliver bioinformatics education to life science undergraduates

Description

Many life science teams are faced with the problem of trying to fit bioinformatics into an already crowded curriculum. This project used Problem Based Learning (PBL) for a number of years to deliver bioinformatics to students on BSc Biomedical Science and MSc Biotechnology programmes. This approach found PBL to be particularly relevant to the delivery of a fast-moving, multi-disciplinary topic such as Bioinformatics, where the emphasis is on the development of skills such as finding and evaluating information, team-working, and problem solving. In order to facilitate the use of PBL to deliver bioinformatics an online resource centre was developed to provide:

• A database of scenarios or trigger problems

• Case studies describing the use of PBL

• A general guide for the development of PBL activity suitable for any discipline

• Links to pedagogical papers and PBL resources.

The aim of the project was to facilitate the delivery of Bioinformatics skills via problem-based learning (PBL) to life science students. A website was developed to provide access to tried and tested problems which are archived according to level and subject. The website also includes links to required or suggested resources and supporting data. The problems are annotated with the skills that students may develop during completion of each exercise. This collection of scenarios can be used and reviewed by the teaching community. Additionally, a pilot study at the University of Ulster allowed students the opportunity to use bioinformatics skills to solve life-science problems in a PBL environment. The pilot study was evaluated using staff and student questionnaires, and analysis of coursework marks. Following a successful outcome from the pilot study, the approach was implemented and evaluated at the partner institutions. The resource centre, ‘Delivering Bioinformatics via PBL’ is available at: http://samsara.scic.ulst.ac.uk/~kay/cgi/pbl.cgi . The project evaluated of the use ofPBL to deliver bioinformatics and information and feedback on the resource centre.

Outcomes

• Project report
• ‘Development of a Bioinformatics PBL Scenario Resource’, Centre for Bioscience Bulletin Autumn 2008 (25), p10.
• ’Case Study: Using PBL to deliver bioinformatics to final year biomedical science students’,November, 2010, HEA Health Sciences and Practice PBL SIG Biannual meeting.
• ‘Bioinformatics on Life and Health Science Programmes via Problem Based Learning’, Celebrating the Past and Embracing the Future: Evolution and Innovation in Problem-based Learning, March 2011, HEA Health Sciences and Practice
• ‘Case Study: Using PBL to deliver bioinformatics education’, Problem Based Learning (PBL): Today & Tomorrow, May 2011, Irish Enquiry and Problem Based Learning Network”

Links

Access the problem solving website.

View Catherine's presentation about the Project at the 2008 Reps Forum

Catherine also presented at the event "Engaging students: what's the problem?"