Developing computer simulations integrating biomedical research techniques with bioinformatics tools for case-based learning in introductory biology courses

生物科学（61）本项目促进研究科学家常用的实验室程序（如DNA微阵列、实时PCR、脉冲场凝胶电泳）的计算机模拟的发展，以及一系列涉及生物信息学的研究性、基于问题的学习案例。现有的资源提供了对各种生物信息学工具和在线数据库的访问，但没有通过让学生参与产生数据的实验室程序的开放式模拟来提供分析的背景。该项目提供的额外模拟提供了这种背景，同时补充了该领域的其他教育资源。团队成员包括来自六所大学的教师，他们具有软件开发、生物信息学、生物医学研究和评估方面的专业知识。这个建议的框架已经通过案例It项目建立起来了，这是一个由nsf支持的项目，旨在使分子生物学模拟和相关案例免费提供给全世界的生物学教育者（http://caseit.uwrf.edu）。教育工作者报告说，41所院校的2500多名学生使用了去年发布的Case It软件。智力优势：这一建议是先前成功尝试的合理延伸，通过强调诊断和围绕健康咨询的伦理问题的案例，使用角色扮演和模拟来提高学生对科学的兴趣。当前的创新使用这种有效的基于案例的教学法，将学生置于虚拟研究环境中，培养他们解决研究科学家面临的问题的能力。正在开发的模拟直接与NCBI网站等政府数据库中的DNA序列数据库一起工作，使学生更容易学习生物信息学方法和相关的实验室技术。更广泛的影响：在美国和波多黎各的多元文化机构进行正式评估后，建议的案例和模拟将通过案例网站免费分发给全世界的教育工作者。教育工作者的支持声明和当前Case It软件的文档使用是强有力的证据，表明该项目将对大学、社区学院和高中的生物教育产生广泛的影响，包括AP和国际学士学位课程。所有项目材料都被翻译成西班牙语，以使西班牙裔/拉丁裔学生更容易了解该项目。现有的Case It网络编辑/会议系统将使学生能够通过互联网“海报会议”与其他学校的同学讨论他们的发现。BioQUEST课程联盟，Case It软件的长期出版商，强烈支持这一提议，并正在与该项目合作，通过教育会议的研讨会传播项目材料。

PROJECT SUMMARY Biological Sciences (61) This project fosters the development of computer simulations of laboratory procedures commonly employed by research scientists (e.g. DNA microarray, real-time PCR, pulsed field gel electrophoresis), along with a series of cases for investigative, problem-based learning involving bioinformatics. Existing resources provide access to a variety of bioinformatics tools and online databases, but do not provide a context for analysis by engaging students in open-ended simulations of the laboratory procedures that produce the data. The additional simulations being provided by this project provide this context, while at the same time complementing other educational resources in this area. Team members include faculty from six universities with expertise in software development, bioinformatics, biomedical research, and assessment. An established framework for this proposal is already in place via the Case It project, an NSF-supported effort to make molecular biology simulations and associated cases freely available to biology educators worldwide (http://caseit.uwrf.edu). Educators report that over 2500 students at 41 institutions used Case It software released this past year.Intellectual merit: This proposal is a logical extension of previous successful effort to use role-playing and simulations to enhance student interest in science, through cases emphasizing diagnosis and ethical issues surrounding health counseling. The current innovation uses this effective case-based pedagogy to place students in virtual research settings, fostering their ability to solve problems confronted by research scientists. The simulations being developed work directly with databases of DNA sequences at government repositories such as the NCBI website, making it easier for students to learn bioinformatics methodology and associated laboratory techniques. Broader impacts: After formal assessment at culturally diverse institutions in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, the proposed cases and simulations will be freely distributed to educators worldwide via the Case It web site. Statements of support by educators and documented use of current Case It software are strong evidence that the project will have a broad impact on biology education at universities, community colleges, and high schools including AP and International Baccalaureate programs. All project materials is being translated into Spanish to make the project more accessible to Hispanic / Latino students. The existing Case It web editor / conferencing system will enable students to discuss their findings with peers at other schools via Internet "poster sessions". The BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium, longtime publishers of Case It software, strongly supports this proposal and is working with the project to disseminate project materials via workshops at educational conferences.