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A new three‐dimensional educational model kit for building DNA and RNA molecules: Development and evaluation *
Author(s) -
Beltramini Leila Maria,
Araújo Ana Paula Ulian,
de Oliveira Tales Henrique Gonçalves,
dos Santos Abel Luciano Douglas,
da Silva Aparecido Rodrigues,
dos Santos Neusa Fernandes
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.2006.49403403187
Subject(s) - semiconservative replication , computational biology , biology , process (computing) , dna , science education , transcription (linguistics) , molecular cell biology , rna , mathematics education , computer science , dna replication , genetics , psychology , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , origin of replication , linguistics , philosophy , operating system
International specialized literature focused on research in biology education is sadly scarce, especially regarding biochemical and molecular aspects. In this light, researchers from this Centre for Structural Molecular Biotechnology developed and evaluated a three‐dimensional educational model named “Building Life Molecules DNA and RNA.” The development of the model and its evaluation as a potential tool in the teaching‐learning process were based on a pilot study involving 226 learners and teachers. Questionnaires were elaborated, containing simple and objective questions, similar to those used in research on science teaching, to orient the evaluation process. Our results show that the model has high educational potential, aiding participants in their conceptual understanding of these molecular structures and their functions, DNA semiconservative replication, and RNA transcription. In addition, it was observed that this model leads students to critical associations of these concepts with actual scientific themes of molecular biology and biotechnology, such as cloning, transgenic organisms, and the genome.