Departments of Biology and Computer Science, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Department of Biology, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, USA.
Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2022 Jul;50(4):360-368. doi: 10.1002/bmb.21638. Epub 2022 Jun 20.
Here, we describe a free, web-based simulation of the lac operon, "LacOp," that is designed to enhance the learning of prokaryotic gene regulation and pathways in advanced high school and undergraduate genetics courses. This new electronic resource was created by a team of students in an advanced undergraduate course and is hosted online (http://flask-env.rnwhymamqf.us-west-2.elasticbeanstalk.com/lacop). LacOp has a simple web interface compatible with a range of devices, including smartphones. To determine whether the LacOp simulation enhances student learning from traditional instruction, we introduced the lac operon to undergraduate genetics students through a traditional classroom experience followed by use of the LacOp simulation. Students worked on their own using the included tutorial to create and test the effect of various genotypes on E. coli lactose metabolism and regulation. Upon completion of the tutorial, students showed measurable gains in conceptual understanding of the lac operon. These students also reported a generally favorable opinion of the LacOP simulation as a use of their instructional time.
在这里，我们描述了一个免费的、基于网络的乳糖操纵子模拟程序“LacOp”，旨在增强高级高中和本科遗传学课程中学生对原核基因调控和途径的学习。这个新的电子资源是由一门高级本科课程的学生团队创建的，并在线托管（http://flask-env.rnwhymamqf.us-west-2.elasticbeanstalk.com/lacop）。LacOp 具有简单的网络界面，与各种设备兼容，包括智能手机。为了确定 LacOp 模拟是否增强了学生从传统教学中学习，我们通过传统的课堂体验向本科遗传学学生介绍了乳糖操纵子，然后使用 LacOp 模拟。学生们自己使用包含的教程来创建和测试各种基因型对大肠杆菌乳糖代谢和调节的影响。完成教程后，学生们在乳糖操纵子的概念理解方面取得了可衡量的进步。这些学生还报告说，他们普遍对 LacOP 模拟作为教学时间的使用持肯定态度。
