New Perspectives in Science Education
Learning about Krebs and his Four Metabolic Cycles by Using a Problem-Based Learning Approach
Miguel Ángel Medina Torres, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech (Spain)
Ángel Luis García-Ponce, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech (Spain)
Ángel Blanco-López, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech (Spain)
Ana Mª Rodríguez Quesada, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech (Spain)
José Luis Urdiales, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech (Spain)
Ignacio Fajardo, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech (Spain)
Fernanda Suárez, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech (Spain)
Francisco José Alonso Carrión, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech (Spain)
Abstract
Metabolism is considered by many students a remarkably difficult subject, due to its broad contents and the need of integrate them in a biologically meaningful manner [1]. Collaborative learning strategies could contribute to make it easier for students to study metabolism [2].In the context of an Educative Innovation Project (EIP) to be developed in the academic curses 2019-20 and 2020-21 and entitled “Collaborative learning of Biochemistry based on projects and case and problem solving” and two other previous EIP, we have designed and used problem-based learning (PBL) cases to help our students to study metabolism and tis regulation. One of these PBL cases was focused the Nobel prize winner Sir Hans Krebs’ scientific achievements and the four metabolic cycles he contributed to elucidate [3,4]. In two subjects dedicated to the study of metabolism regulation, one from the Biology Degree and the other from the Biochemistry Degree, we recruited volunteers to work in groups and collaboratively to solve the PBL cases. The final grades in the global evaluation of the students who participated in this activity were notably better than those who did not. In the present communication, this experience will be analyzed and discussed. This work is supported by an Educative Innovation Project (PIE19-057, funded by University of Málaga).
Keywords: collaborative learning, Krebs, metabolism.
References:
- García-Ponce AL, Martínez-Poveda B, Blanco-López A, Quesada AR, Alonso-Carrión FJ, Medina MA. A PBL case on glycogen as an evaluable task for students studying metabolism. Education and New Developments 2019.
- Medina MA, García-Ponce AL, Blanco-López A, Quesada AR, Suárez F, Alonso-Carrión FJ. Advances in the use of the model of flipped classroom with collaborative learning as a helpful tool to study metabolism. In: Conference Proceedings. The Future of Education 2020, SCI4727. Filodiritto Editore, Florence, Italy.
- Kornberg HL. Krebs and his trinity of cycles. Nat REv Mol Cell Biol 1: 225-8,2000.
- Salway JG. The Krebs uric acid cycle: a forgotteb Krebs cycle. Trends Biochem Sci 43: 847-9, 2018.
