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The use of an imagery mnemonic to teach the Krebs cycle
Author(s) -
Morisaki Ryoma,
Bon Charles,
Levitt Jacob O.
Publication year - 2016
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.20932
Subject(s) - mnemonic , rote learning , memorization , psychology , test (biology) , mathematics education , teaching method , cognitive psychology , biology , cooperative learning , paleontology
The Krebs Cycle is a highly taught biochemical pathway that is traditionally difficult to learn. Twenty‐seven undergraduate students were randomized to a rote memorization arm or to a mnemonic arm. They were given a pre‐test, then shown a lecture corresponding to their assigned method, and then given an immediate Week 0 post‐test and a Week 4 post‐test. Groups scored comparably low on the pre‐test ( p = 0.7113). Students in the mnemonic arm performed better on the Week 0 post‐test than those using rote ( p = 0.0055). By Week 4, there was evidence of knowledge decay, with both arms' having comparably low scores (mnemonic vs. rote, p = 0.3739). The mnemonic assists in rapid acquisition of knowledge but probably has to be reviewed iteratively over time to demonstrate its full potential over rote memorization. A limited number of students from only one school was used. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 44:224–229, 2016.