GOLGI: Graphic Online Library of GIFs for Instruction in Biology
Presented by:
Jorge R. Paredes-Montero, Saginaw Valley State University
Sylvia Fromherz, Saginaw Valley State University
We are building GOLGI, a curated, annotated library of GIFs and short videos, to improve undergraduates’ comprehension of concepts in cell and molecular biology.
Keywords:
Spatiotemporal Reasoning, Active Learning, Instructional Methods
Abstract:
Students often struggle with cell and molecular mechanisms that require reasoning about sequence and location. GOLGI (Graphic Online Library of GIFs for Instruction) is a curated repository of short animations aligned to introductory topics and deployed in Canvas. We outline workflows, including topic selection, sourcing or producing animations, and annotation standards. We provide instructor prompts for implementation, including predict–observe–explain and sketch-to-model. Assessment uses brief pre-/post-concept items and delayed recall to gauge comprehension and retention. IRB review is pending, so no student data will be reported. GOLGI provides a reusable model for visual teaching resources on campus.
Outcomes:
1. Correctly order the steps and identify the cellular compartments of complex processes after studying targeted GOLGI animations.
2. Create an annotated sketch, flow diagram, or brief narration that explains how key interactions unfold over time, using evidence from a GOLGI animation.
3. Independently apply the GOLGI visual-creation strategy to a new topic by generating an original visual with correct step order and compartment labels plus a brief caption.
Hear it from the author:
Transcript:
We are building a curated, annotated library of gifts and short videos that we call Golgi, uh, to improve undergraduate comprehension of often difficult concepts in cell and molecular biology. Our poster shows the process by which we're building the library, are expected learning outcomes for students, a couple of examples of still images traditionally used for teaching concepts in cell biology, as well as screenshots of the gifts that we're using. And then, finally, a flow chart of our assessment strategy and assessment structure. So, we hope you will check out our poster and look forward to talking to you.
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