Hybrid Model Teaching in the Postepidemic Period: From Nucleic Acid to Antigen for the Fluorescence Analysis of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Owing to the global spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), education has shifted to distance online learning, whereas some face-to-face courses have been resumed with the improvement of the outbreak prevention and management situation, including a laboratory course for senior undergraduate students in chemical biology. Here, we present an innovative chemical biology experiment covering COVID-19 topics, which was created for third-year undergraduates. The basic principles of two nucleic-acid- and antigen-based diagnostic techniques for SARS-CoV-2 are demonstrated in detail. These experiments are designed to provide students with comprehensive knowledge of COVID-19 and related diagnoses in daily life. Crucially, the biosafety of this experimental manipulation was ensured by using artificial nucleic acids and recombinant protein. Furthermore, an interactive hybrid online-facing teaching model was designed to cover the key mechanism regarding PCR and serological tests of COVID-19. Finally, a satisfactory evaluation was obtained through a questionnaire, and simultaneously, reasonable improvements to the course design were suggested. The proposed curriculum provides all the necessary information for other instructors to create new courses supported by research.

Differences and Similarities between Face-to-Face and YouTube Chemistry Teaching

“…During that period, it was advised to regularly solicit feedback through low-stakes assignments to assess student learning and improve their courses while they were online . Feedback from students and the utilization of the recorded videos suggested that creating such content was not only valuable at that moment but also for future remote or in-person courses. − Additionally, it was found that the videos effectively illustrated important aspects of experimental chemistry and made students feel as if they were actively participating in the experiments themselves …”