A Framework for Assessing Molecular Visualization Skills and Competencies

Abstract

Biochemistry education relies on visual representations to make the abstract concrete. Yet despite the heavy use of images in biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) education, instructors have few resources that enable them to assess the impact of their instruction in visual literacy. Here we describe the recently‐published framework for three‐dimensional visual literacy to include learning goals and objectives at three levels of proficiency: novice (first year life science students), amateur (upper division undergraduates) and expert (graduate students or professionals in the field). We invite BMB educators to join our expanding group as we develop competencies and instruments for assessing students' visual literacy of biomolecules. These competencies and assessment instruments will be curated and catalogued within our online framework found at http://cbm.msoe.edu/crest/molviz/. We encourage the BMB community to use this framework for designing lessons, courses, and curriculum in accordance with Vision & Change and the ASBMB recommended curriculum.Support or Funding InformationThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under award number DUE1323414. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.