Maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transition
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities announced an abrupt transition to remote learning during the Spring 2020 semester. In this report, we discuss the instructional changes that were implemented in an undergraduate microbiology course as a result of this transition. The e...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Society for Microbiology
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education |
| Online Access: | https://jmbesubmissions.asm.org/index.php/jmbe/article/view/2305 |
| _version_ | 1818883221707816960 |
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| author | David Wessner Siena Senn |
| author_facet | David Wessner Siena Senn |
| author_sort | David Wessner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities announced an abrupt transition to remote learning during the Spring 2020 semester. In this report, we discuss the instructional changes that were implemented in an undergraduate microbiology course as a result of this transition. The effectiveness of these curricular changes was assessed by means of a standard course feedback instrument to understand student attitudes and perceptions. Our results indicate that the switch to a thematic focus enhanced the course and specific instructional changes, including the use of pre-class introductory videos and electronic forums, were useful and informative. Based on these findings, we propose that relatively minor changes to instructional strategies may enhance remote learning. Moreover, these same changes could be used to improve in-person classes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T15:30:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ac253b4572f84a34a58a6af3ce01d585 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T15:30:13Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-ac253b4572f84a34a58a6af3ce01d5852022-12-21T20:15:45ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologyJournal of Microbiology & Biology Education1935-78771935-78852021-03-0122110.1128/jmbe.v22i1.2305Maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transitionDavid Wessner0Siena Senn1Davidson CollegeDavidson CollegeBecause of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities announced an abrupt transition to remote learning during the Spring 2020 semester. In this report, we discuss the instructional changes that were implemented in an undergraduate microbiology course as a result of this transition. The effectiveness of these curricular changes was assessed by means of a standard course feedback instrument to understand student attitudes and perceptions. Our results indicate that the switch to a thematic focus enhanced the course and specific instructional changes, including the use of pre-class introductory videos and electronic forums, were useful and informative. Based on these findings, we propose that relatively minor changes to instructional strategies may enhance remote learning. Moreover, these same changes could be used to improve in-person classes.https://jmbesubmissions.asm.org/index.php/jmbe/article/view/2305 |
| spellingShingle | David Wessner Siena Senn Maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transition Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education |
| title | Maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transition |
| title_full | Maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transition |
| title_fullStr | Maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transition |
| title_short | Maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transition |
| title_sort | maintaining student engagement during an abrupt instructional transition |
| url | https://jmbesubmissions.asm.org/index.php/jmbe/article/view/2305 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT davidwessner maintainingstudentengagementduringanabruptinstructionaltransition AT sienasenn maintainingstudentengagementduringanabruptinstructionaltransition |