Gel electrophoresis is a widely used technique for the separation of proteins in a mixture. However, reliable results require strict attention to the technique to complete the procedure.  Students in an upper level undergraduate biochemistry methods course, given one chance to do gel electrophoresis, need to be well prepared in order to get good results. A three part video was developed as a pre lab preparatory tool to demonstrate proper technique to students prior to completion of the required lab experiment. The video included the processes and steps involved in making, loading, running, removing, and staining the gel. The purpose of this research is to measure the effectiveness of the video on students overall preparedness. Participants were given a brief questionnaire to measure basic chemistry knowledge.  Based on responses to the questionnaire, students were divided into two groups of seven while attempting to maintain an equal chemistry knowledge base between the two groups as possible. One group of students was given access to the video. The group of students that was asked to watch the video was given 24 hour access via Blackboard and had two weeks to view it on their own schedule.  Both sets of students received the normal laboratory instruction via pre lab discussion given by the graduate teaching assistant and the faculty instructor. During the experiment students completed a questionnaire about the time required to complete each step, their level of confidence in their ability with each step (on a scale of 1 to 5), and their overall confidence in their ability to repeat the lab. The questionnaires, the graded lab reports, and data retrieved from Blackboard showing if/when the students actually viewed the video, were analyzed in an attempt to measure the effectiveness of the video as a useful teaching tool.

Impact of supplemental video prelab material for a biochemistry lab practical on student overall preparedness

249th National Meeting (2015)

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