(1822.pdf) ISSUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY: A MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSE (MOOC) COVERING IN SIMPLE TERMS BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DNA AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

摘要

Currently there is a wide disparity between the knowledge of the general public about DNA andbiotechnology and the actual science and its applications. This gap is growing wider every day andhas created a current educational crisis about DNA, how life works and biotechnology. The largestchallenges in biotechnology right now are not technological, but those of public perception asbiotechnology education has not kept pace with the rapid growth of its science. A working knowledgeof DNA, genetics and biotechnology has become as fundamental to a basic education as anunderstanding of the solar system. A highly successful General Education OnCampus course onbiotechnology has been developed to meet this need for a general audience into an OnLine coursewhich is now made further accessible as a MOOC. The material and format for this course on generalbiotechnology has created a versatile platform for teaching about the various topics in biotechnologytoday. This course is intended for the general public, life sciences industry science and non-sciencestaff, high school teachers and undergraduate students regardless of their major or degree program.There are no prerequisites. An online series of lectures and the platform of educational materials hasbeen created that allows for the presentation of independent modules on the various topics. Thisflexible platform also has been used to develop workshops for various industries and their science andnon-science staff. The more our society understands the fundamentals about biotechnology, the betterequipped they will be to participate affecting career opportunities, economic development, policy anddecision making, as well as general consumer education in a lifelong learning process. All courselectures and materials can be viewed at www. lifeedu.us. This OnLine course and its MOOC aim toaccomplish three goals: 1) to provide basic knowledge about DNA, genomics and biotechnology thatis fundamental to the how biological life functions, 2) to provide a literate knowledge of the currentapplications in biotechnology, and career opportunities in the growing fields that are related tobiotechnology; and 3) to learn about the issues and ethics concerning the future of biotechnology andour society. This general educational course is for all undergraduate, HS students, teachers and thegeneral public globally through lifeedu.us. The Course can be taken in four ways: (I) As a three (3)credit hour General Education class for College Credit through the University of Rhode Island; (II) As aMassive Open OnLine Course to receive a recognized Certificate through lifeedu.us; (III) AsCertification Modules suited to the student's interest to receive a recognized Certificate throughlifeedu.us; and, (IV) For free as an open educational experience.