Around the beta-Turn: An Activity To Improve the Communication and Listening Skills of Biochemistry Students

作者：Mittendorf Isaac; Cox James R^*

来源：Journal of Chemical Education, 2013, 90(11): 1476-1478.

DOI：10.1021/ed400307c

• Biochemistry
• Upper-Division Undergraduate
• Communication/Writing
• Curriculum
• Testing/Assessment

An active-learning activity has been designed to improve communication and listening skills of students in an upper-level biochemistry course. The activity was modeled after "Around the Horn", a popular television show that features a moderator asking questions to various sports reporters and assessing their answers in scored sessions. In "Around the ss-Turn", students are asked questions about a recent biochemistry publication in a rapid-fire manner. Responses are scored using a rubric with answers that are correct, concise, and appropriately detailed receiving the most points and answers that are incorrect or vague receiving no points or resulting in the loss of points. Students need opportunities to practice and learn how to answer tough and complex questions on the spot, and this activity provides a structure for them to learn biochemical content while developing transferable communication skills, which will be valuable on the job or in graduate or professional school. A student perspective describes the educational value of this activity, which is an alternative approach to traditional lecture and discussion formats.

• 出版日期2013-11