ERIC Number: EJ1100212
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1470-8175
EISSN: N/A
The Use of an Imagery Mnemonic to Teach the Krebs Cycle
Morisaki, Ryoma; Bon, Charles; Levitt, Jacob O.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, v44 n3 p224-229 May-Jun 2016
The Krebs Cycle is a highly taught biochemical pathway that is traditionally difficult to learn. Twenty-seven undergraduate students were randomized to a rote memorization arm or to a mnemonic arm. They were given a pre-test, then shown a lecture corresponding to their assigned method, and then given an immediate Week 0 post-test and a Week 4 post-test. Groups scored comparably low on the pre-test (p = 0.7113). Students in the mnemonic arm performed better on the Week 0 post-test than those using rote (p = 0.0055). By Week 4, there was evidence of knowledge decay, with both arms' having comparably low scores (mnemonic vs. rote, p = 0.3739). The mnemonic assists in rapid acquisition of knowledge but probably has to be reviewed iteratively over time to demonstrate its full potential over rote memorization. A limited number of students from only one school was used.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Mnemonics, Teaching Methods, Memorization, Pretests Posttests, Scores, Undergraduate Students, Rote Learning, Biochemistry, Imagery, Physiology, Lecture Method, Instructional Effectiveness
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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