2024 ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators

Background: Active learning strategies are key to engaging students. In this study activities were developed for implementation in microbiology and immunology classrooms to encourage active, collaborative learning. Statement of research question: Determine if activities developed promoted critical thinking, helped students develop presentation skills and enhanced collaborative learning. Study design and methods: Two interdisciplinary activities were developed: 1.Diseases caused by some common bacteria 2.Which is the most important immune cell? The implementation of activity 1 is described below. Groups of students were assigned one bacterium, they researched/presented key features of this bacterium/disease caused to the class, debating against other groups to promote their bacterium as being the most harmful. Pre, post-quizzes and survey were used to determine student learning, engagement and satisfaction. Data supporting effectiveness of strategy: Microbiology students (n = 41) during Spring 2024 participated. The difference between the pre- and post-quiz scores was statistically significant (t-test; p=0.00) No statistically significant difference in variance between pre- and post-quiz was observed (F-test; p-value 0.21). Most students (97.7%) found the activity helped them understand bacterial diseases, 95% said that this activity reinforced the concepts of aseptic techniques and use of personal protection equipment when handling microbes in the laboratory. Most (86%) stated that this activity helped improve skills in analyzing information, and 93% said they learnt something new in a fun way. Most participants (79%) said they would like to see more activities like this in classes. Statistical analyses to determine the difference between pre- and post- quiz scores for each question and differences in the scores between lower and higher level Bloom's questions will also be undertaken. Concluding Statement: This activity engaged students in the classroom. Activity 2 will be implemented later this year. We will also gauge students’ long-term retention of the concepts learnt through the activities implemented.