Abstract:

Molecular Biology education at the undergraduate level presents inherent conceptual and methodological challenges. The abstract nature of many molecular processes, together with traditional lecture-based teaching approaches, often makes it difficult for students with diverse academic backgrounds to relate theoretical content to real biomedical or professional applications. In this context, the incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and social media platforms represents an opportunity to modernize teaching strategies, enhance student motivation and strengthen the connection between academic learning and professional practice. In this project, a digital teaching initiative based on short educational videos was implemented as a complementary resource in several undergraduate courses related to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The videos were produced in collaboration with European researchers and professionals from different academic and biomedical institutions and disseminated through the social media platform TikTok. The videos covered key theoretical concepts and methodologies related to Molecular Biology, including techniques from genomics and proteomics laboratories. To evaluate the educational impact of this approach, students completed anonymous surveys at the end of each course and the results were subsequently analysed for dissemination and discussion. A total of 95 undergraduate students from 5 different degree programmes of the University of Granada (UGR) participated in the study: Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Physical Activity and Sports, and Dentistry. The results revealed a generally positive perception of the initiative. 80.0% of the participants reported that the videos supported their learning process, facilitated the understanding of complex concepts, and increased their interest in the subject. In addition, 70.5% of the students rated their TikTok experience with 4 or 5 points (5 being the maximum) and a high proportion of participants expressed interest in the inclusion of more supplementary videos about Molecular Biology. Overall, the findings reinforce the potential of ICTs as effective educational tools in Molecular Biology. This approach not only enhances student engagement and motivation but also contributes to bridging the gap between academic content and real-world biomedical applications. The integration of innovative digital tools, combined with international collaboration, offers a flexible and accessible model that can enrich teaching practices in higher education.

Keywords:

Molecular biology, TikTok, undergraduate education, active learning strategies.