Internet-based distance education seems to be an attractive alternative to offer courses dealing with specific topics that are not conveniently explored in undergraduate courses. This is a good way to provide access to the recent and updated discoveries in this research area and to reach people who could not take the classes in the traditional mode. Using the communication advantages available via the Internet, we adapted the course “Biochemistry of Nutrition,” first offered as a summer course to be entirely carried out at distance. The adaptation explored the use of online tools such as E-mail communication among students and teachers, computer conferencing in small groups to discuss specific subjects, and texts and software downloads to be used as main references. Graduate students had their first real experience as teachers, which proved to be very productive for both the development of the Internet version of the course and their integration with undergraduate students.
Full article Related workThis work describes software designed to promote the association between the content of a basic undergraduate biochemistry course and the professional activities of physical education students. The software contains three main content sections: (A) Structure of skeletal muscle, (B) Contraction mechanism, and (C) Adaptations to physical exercise. A fourth section asks questions of the students. The software offers students a brief introduction on muscle structure and function, focusing on the energy sources required by different kinds of physical activities. The software was field tested at Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil and has been adopted by several Brazilian universities. The students are required to examine the software, to discuss its contents, and to produce a list of questions arising from their work with the software. These questions are answered during the development of the curriculum, thereby connecting biochemical knowledge with the energetic needs for the practice of sports.
Full article Related work
Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology
University of Campinas
