Rapid nucleic acid sequencing methodsalternative approaches to facilitating learning

Abstract

As part of an advanced course on recombinant DNA technology, our students are required to understand the underlying principles relating to a variety of rapid sequencing techniques for both DNA and RNA. To assess the effectiveness of the learning, the students are requested to (i) produce written accounts of the experimental protocols for each method and (ii) demonstrate their understanding of each technique by correctly interpreting schematic gel electrophoretic band patterns. These band patterns are generated by computer and can be displayed in a variety of presentation formats including print, print plus scrambled print, interactive computer-based instruction, and high resolution computer graphics. The results of such an approach have been very encouraging indeed, both from the point of view of student motivation and examination performance and student/staff interest level