AMPc - Intracellular signaling: an educational software

Chemicals binding to membrane receptors may induce events within the cell changing its behavior. Since these events are simultaneous and hard to be understood by students, we developed a computational model to dynamically and visually explore the cAMP signaling system to facilitate its understanding. The animation is shown in parts, from the hormone-receptor binding to the cellular response. There are some questions to be answered after using the model. The software was field-tested and an evaluation questionnaire (concerning usability, animations, models, and the software as an educational tool) was answered by the students, showing the software to be a valuable aid for content comprehension.48949

Nutritional Biochemistry: structure of a discipline design for distance education

Abstract of the panel presented at the SBBq annual meeting (see attachament)

Radicais livres de oxigênio: um software introdutório Oxygen free radicals: an introductory software

<abstract language="eng">Though Free Radicals is one of the most frequently explored scientific subjects in mass communication media, the topic is absent of many Biochemistry introductory courses, especially those in which the students do not have a good chemical background. To overcome this contradictory situation we have developed a software treating this topic in a very simple way. The software is divided in four sections: (1) definition and description of free radicals, (2) production pathways, (3) mechanism of action and (4) enzymatic and non enzymatic protection. The instructional capacity of the software has been both qualitative and quantitatively evaluated through its application in undergraduate courses. The software is available in the INTERNET at the site: http://www.unicamp.br/ib/bioquimica/ensino

O QUE ALUNOS DE DIFERENTES CURSOS PROCURAM EM DISCIPLINAS EXTRACURRICULARES DE BIOQUÍMICA?

Ao mesmo tempo que a seleção detalhada dos conteúdos direciona as aulas de Bioquímica aosinteresses de cada curso de graduação, muitos assuntos são inevitavelmente excluídos. Aprocura por disciplinas não obrigatórias no currículo mínimo que abordem temas de Bioquímicanão contemplados nas disciplinas de Bioquímica Básica aponta para o grande interesse dosestudantes por complementação na sua formação [1]. Na ocasião do oferecimento de umcurso sobre Bioquímica da Nutrição a distância em 2001 e 2003, foi feito um levantamento deinteresse pelo curso, além de uma contínua avaliação da satisfação dos alunos frente àsatividades desenvolvidas. A análise detalhada dos interesses e das críticas e sugestões ajudoua verificar os anseios dos diferentes profissionais em relação aos conteúdos da Bioquímica esuas aplicações. Dessa análise conclui-se que apesar dos alunos entrarem com interesseespecífico de aprofundamento nos conteúdos de suas áreas, o que promove maior satisfação éa interação e troca de informações – ainda que relativamente superficiais - com alunos eprofissionais de outras formações. Cursos que visem aprofundamento específico dedeterminados assuntos devem, entretanto, ser oferecidos para públicos mais restritos,atendendo a pré-requisitos de conhecimento para que as discussões possam ser maisaprofundadas

Expectativas e Fatores de Interesse por Ensino a Distância na área de Bioquímica: relatos de uma pesquisa pré e pós aplicação de uma disciplina de Bioquímica a Distância

A brief review about the tools and methods used in biochemical education, published in scientific journals and congresses abstracts, shows a wide distribution of different resources used to support biochemical classes. Lab activities, problem based learning (PBL) approach, educational software and the Internet are some of these resources. The Internet has been quickly introduced to the classrooms and provides a wide research area to be explored in different fields of knowledge, such as Biochemical Education. This work focuses on the expectations and the motivation in a Distance Education (DE) course and on advantages and disadvantages considered before and after taking part in a distance discipline. The data were collected from a survey available on our Biochemical Education Website, answered by people interested in Biochemical Education courses from many Brazilian states. Some of the advantages quoted before the course, are: flexibility in time and place to access the discipline; possibility to access new information; use of new technology. The quoted disadvantages emphasize technical problems and the lack of interaction among the participants. The afterward evaluation showed that the strategies used aiming at improving interaction were efficient. DE was considered a good learning system for deepening knowledge by people with different profiles. The evaluation is considered the most sensitive point of this kind of educational system and must be carefully analyzed. In fact, the evaluation of the impact of new technologies in learning processes is one of the biggest challenges for educators nowadays. The last challenge for educators and evaluators involved on online learning projects is using the Internet as better interaction tool and measuring its efficiency.</p

Software AMPs - Intracellular signling

Abstract of the panel presented at the SBBq annual meeting (see attachament)