Virtual Interactive Bacteriology Laboratory

Abstract

OPEN ACCESSOctober 24, 2011Virtual Interactive Bacteriology Laboratory Cindy Arvidson, PhD, Geraud Plantegenest, MA, Jiatyan Chen, MA, MS Cindy Arvidson, PhD Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author , Geraud Plantegenest, MA Michigan State University Google Scholar More articles by this author , Jiatyan Chen, MA, MS Michigan State University Google Scholar More articles by this author https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.8392 SectionsAbout ToolsDownload Citations ShareFacebookTwitterEmail AbstractAbstract Introduction: The first-year medical students at Michigan State University Colleges of Human and Osteopathic Medicine take a microbiology course that includes a wet lab. This experience introduces the student to diagnostic tests that are done in a clinical microbiology laboratory and demonstrates how the results of those tests can be used to identify pathogenic bacteria. The Virtual Interactive Bacteriology Laboratory (VIBL) was designed to provide the laboratory experience in the introductory microbiology course yet do so without the traditional wet lab facilities. This allows for the remote learning of the basic concepts of representative clinical bacteriology lab tests. Methods: VIBL was developed to replace two (latex agglutination and streak plate) of the three live 2-hr laboratory sessions that are part of a course in medical microbiology. The students are expected to do all of the exercises prior to the live laboratory session as preparation for that session. To ensure that they do so, an online quiz, administered through a secure course management system, is given that the students may complete in their own time and ideally while they are going through the exercises. The opening page of each exercise then contains a main menu of four choices: description (a detailed description of the test including the scientific principle behind the test and how it is carried out and interpreted), steps (detailed instructions for how to carry out the exercise, in some cases this includes short video clips of steps), credits, and a start button (begins the exercise). Results: For the spring 2011 semester offering, VIBL was made available to first-year students at the College of Human and Osteopathic Medicine. At the end of the semester, the students were required to evaluate the labs. To the statement “The virtual labs were adequate preparation for the live lab exercise” 70% of the students responded “agree” or “strongly agree” (3.8/5.0 on a Likert scale). To the statement “The virtual labs were user friendly” 77% responded “agree” or “strongly agree” (4.0/5.0 on a Likert scale). Written comments were largely positive and included statements such as “put together well and I had wonderful time going through it!”, “incredibly realistic and very well designed”, and “a nice interactive way to study some of the material.” Discussion: Teaching efficiency is enhanced by the use of visually attractive online images, user-friendly interactive activities, repeatable access, and real-time assessment of learning. Virtual modules such as this are designed to mimic the real-life procedures, allowing possible inappropriate operation to demonstrate the corresponding consequences. Thus, students not only learn the right procedure, but also acquire the ability to identify and interpret incorrect results. Educational Objectives By the end of this session, learners will be able to: Understand representative techniques performed in a clinical lab.Interpret the results of covered tests.Prepare and interpret a gram stain.Streak an agar plate to isolate bacteria, generating a pure culture.Become familiar with differential and selective media for cultivation of pathogenic bacteria.Perform and interpret basic biochemical tests on bacterial samples.Interpret standard antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Sign up for the latest publications from MedEdPORTAL Add your email below FILES INCLUDEDReferencesRelatedDetails FILES INCLUDED Included in this publication: Instructor's Guide.doc Streak Plate Folder Latex Agglutination Folder To view all publication components, extract (i.e., unzip) them from the downloaded .zip file. Download editor’s noteThis publication may contain technology or a display format that is no longer in use. Copyright & Permissions© 2011 Arvidson et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives license.KeywordsCatalase TestAgar PlateOxidase TestCoagulase TestBacteriaLatex AgglutinationGram StainStreak PlateAntimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Disclosures None to report. Funding/Support None to report. Loading ...