Microbial growth - analysis of lab data

Description:

This exercise deals with the augmentation of a Bachelor course on microbiology, in the specific on a module on microbial growth where students have to analyze and interpret results obtained from laboratory exercises performed on the previous week. Regularly issues emerge with students (at their first year) not being proficient with Excel. This requires frequent interruption of the data analysis process to explain some basic statistic and analytic tools. Such explanation breaks generate nuisance among the most proficient students, interrupt the flow of the data analysis, and leave limited time for the interpretation and discussion of the results.

Here following the principle of the STREAM model, I create an out-of-class loop, where students can access contents (i.e., a document and a video) on statistical concepts and Excel analytical commands. Then, groups of three-four students will conduct a calculation exercise on a provided Excel template, individually. Finally, students will report the results of their calculation by answering to a quiz. Students will get immediate feedback on the correctness of the answer. If one answer is incorrect, students will swap the calculation spreadsheet and conduct a “peer review”. They can then take the quiz again. Following the principle of Just in time teaching, I will look at the results before the lecture and consider if it will be necessary to go through those concepts again.