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COVID-19

University of Alabama at Birmingham Researchers Publish Findings on Microbiology and Biology Education

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has provided insights into the role of instructional assistants in higher education, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlighted the importance of training these assistants in digital education tools to effectively engage students in virtual sessions. The findings suggest that when properly trained, instructional assistants can improve students' grades, engagement, persistence, and retention. The research recommends that institutions of higher education recognize the expansion of digital educational tools as an opportunity to increase the technological literacy and competence of their instructional assistants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The University of Alabama at Birmingham conducted research on the role of instructional assistants in higher education, with a focus on their training and guidance in digital education tools.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, instructional assistants, including Biology Learning Assistants (BLAs), transitioned to hosting virtual sessions outside of class time.
  • The goals of these virtual sessions were to reinforce fundamental concepts using active learning strategies and to address student questions in a supportive learning community.
  • The study found that instructional assistants, when properly trained, can improve students' grades, engagement, persistence, and retention.
  • The researchers recommend that institutions of higher education recognize the expansion of digital educational tools as an opportunity to increase the technological literacy and competence of their instructional assistants.
  • The study highlighted the importance of training instructional assistants in digital education tools to effectively engage students in virtual sessions.
  • The University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers conducted this study in collaboration with Christina N. Morra and Robert Fultz from the Department of Biology.
  • Additional authors of this research include Samiksha A. Raut.

Statistics:

  • The study was published in the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education in 2022, Volume 23, Issue 3.
  • The journal article is available online, and a free version can be accessed at https://doi-org_sdpl_idm_oclc_org/10.1128_jmbe_00143-22.
  • The study was conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a public research university in Birmingham, Alabama, United States.
  • The research involved instructional assistants, including Biology Learning Assistants (BLAs), who hosted virtual sessions outside of class time.

Sources:

  • Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (American Society for Microbiology)
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1128/jmbe.00143-22
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Department of Biology
  • Christina N. Morra
  • Robert Fultz
  • Samiksha A. Raut
  • NewsRx LLC

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