ABSTRACT

Games can help learners of all ages retain knowledge and build skills such as critical thinking. As such, they could be a useful tool in supporting practical training at the university level. This paper describes the development, use, and evaluation of a card game based on protein purification techniques, for a large cohort of undergraduates studying Molecular Biology and related subjects. Game materials are available and can be adapted for a different audience. Players collect cards representing chromatography columns, buffers, and elution methods by drawing cards from a common deck, and discard them in order to separate a single protein from a mixture of molecules with different properties (represented by a separate set of cards). Surveys showed that the game met its three goals: to assess, increase, and apply subject knowledge; to develop skills in communication and experimental planning; and to provide a fun experience. It was more successful for those students who enjoy games and puzzles in their spare time than for those who do not, correlating with the ‘gamer’ group finding it easier to understand and remember the rules of the game. Thus, games can form a useful part of biochemistry teaching practice.

摘要

游戏可以帮助所有年龄段的学习者保留知识并培养批判性思维等技能。因此，它们可以成为支持大学实践培训的有用工具。本文介绍了基于蛋白质纯化技术的纸牌游戏的开发、使用和评估，适用于大量学习分子生物学和相关学科的本科生。游戏材料是可用的，可以适应不同的观众。玩家通过从公共牌组中抽牌来收集代表色谱柱、缓冲液和洗脱方法的牌，然后丢弃它们，以便从具有不同特性的分子混合物中分离出一种蛋白质（由一组单独的牌表示）。调查显示，该游戏实现了三个目标：评估、增加和应用学科知识；培养沟通和实验计划的技能；并提供有趣的体验。对于那些在业余时间喜欢游戏和谜题的学生来说，它比那些不喜欢的学生更成功，这与“游戏玩家”群体相关，他们发现更容易理解和记住游戏规则。因此，游戏可以成为生物化学教学实践的有用部分。