Abstract:

Currently, work in Molecular Biology requires highly qualified personnel to carry out advanced and cutting-edge technologies. The exclusivity, high cost and long waiting times that characterize these technologies hinder practical teaching in the field of Molecular Biology. This problem can be solved by using Information and Communication Technology tools (ICTs).

This project presents a digital mural (Padlet) of specific and advanced concepts in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which provides an effective way for practical and theoretical training in undergraduate and graduate education in this field. Specifically, an interactive Padlet has been developed, divided into two themes: Biomolecules and Molecular Biology. Through this Padlet, students have been provided with videos on the main techniques developed in the area, recorded in our own laboratory. In addition, both students and researchers have actively participated by including interactive material, news or the most relevant publications on the different topics proposed.

Through this platform, we have achieved the involvement of 91 students from 5 different degrees of the University of Granada (UGR): Nursing, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Physical Activity and Sports, and Dentistry. Thanks to the surveys conducted, we know that 56.76% of the students found this tool interesting as an improvement for learning Biochemistry and, in fact, 70.27% responded that the resources of the Padlet were useful to improve the theorical concepts that were explained in class. Likewise, 48.65% of the students propose to continue using this tool in future courses, but with the inclusion of explanations by expert researchers in the area.

In summary, the present report reinforces the potential of ICTs, in particular the creation of a digital mural, in practical teaching in Biochemistry Molecular Biology. More than 80% of the students rated their experience as excellent or good, which reinforces this hypothesis. It has been demonstrated that students feel attracted to virtual technologies, which has encouraged their active participation, and that this tool fulfills the objective of bringing the most current and advanced methodologies closer to undergraduate students, which would not be possible otherwise.

Keywords:

Information and Communication Technology tools, digital mural, interactive material, virtual technologies.