OMLeT—An Alternative Approach to Learning Metabolism: Glycolysis and the TCA Cycle as an Example
Charles M. Stevens, Dylan M. Silver, Brad Behm, and Raymond J. Turner
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
Michael G. Surette
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
The techniques and learning styles used by students to learn metabolism are as varied as the topics in biology. Given the technological advancement of computers, current resources (including textbook CDs and online Web sites) still fail to address the needs of all students, largely due to a psychological phenomenon called the hindsight bias. Personal experience expressed by undergraduates, verified the need for an additional resource, one that is interactive, simple, and informative. This resulted in the development of a Web site called OMLeT, an acronym for Online Metabolism Learning Tool. Through the use of PHP Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) scripting, this project led to the creation of a dynamic Web site that is geared towards several aspects of learning styles and allows the student to process metabolic pathways via a user-defined approach. Furthermore, the versatility of the site provides the user with a comprehensive reference point. Currently, the site is constructed to contain two pathways, glycolysis and TCA cycle.
Supplement
A detailed outline used to construct the online site of OMLeT is available.
Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.
In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first.
Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants.
