Electronic Laboratory Notebooks Allow for Modifications in a General, Organic, and Biochemistry Chemistry Laboratory To Increase Authenticity of the Student Experience

摘要

When used effectively, laboratory courses can be very important for enriching teaching and learning. However, a review of many colleges and universities across the nation reveals that around 50% of the current Bachelor of Nursing programs have opted to remove (or possibly never included) the chemistry laboratory component. Authenticity is particularly important for prehealth professions students who are required to take general, organic, and biochemistry (GOB) chemistry courses; unfortunately, these students often do not feel the courses are relevant to their future careers. Using three of Herrington and Oliver's nine situated learning design elements, a GOB chemistry laboratory course has been redesigned to implement more authentic activities in the curriculum, largely through the use of an electronic laboratory notebook. The authenticity of the improvements was reviewed by a panel of practicing nurses and nursing faculty, and we report their feedback and evaluation. The general consensus of the panel is that the changes in the curriculum toward more authenticity are a great improvement for prehealthcare professionals.