Active learning in a large classroom held in a conventional auditorium

Abstract

Our long‐term goal is to educate biochemistry students about how scientific knowledge is created. An immediate challenge is to engage students while covering a large amount of material with >120 undergraduate students seated in a large auditorium. We introduce student‐centered learning and opportunities to practice biochemistry in a conventional large class setting. Active learning through POGIL (process‐oriented guided‐inquiry learning) and a semester‐long genome annotation project are combined with opportunities to practice biochemistry through online and in‐class strategies. On‐line and in‐class practice includes online quizzes, online group discussion, online assignments, in‐class quizzes, in‐class clicker questions, and extensive study questions. Student surveys assess student perceptions of the opportunity to practice biochemistry multiple times throughout the semester. This allows for active engagement in class, and to work in teams to interpret models, build concepts, and test these concepts in new situations.