Using Echo360 Personal Capture software to create a ‘flipped’ classroom for Microbiology laboratory classes

Abstract

Educators are under increasing pressure to engage with students that have grown up with digital technology. The ‘flipped’ classroom utilises digital technology, usually pre-recorded lectures, to free class time from lecture by assigning students with preparatory instructional content as homework. This model is often used successfully in lecture based classes and is finding increasing adoption in laboratory settings. In this study we employed digital educational technology and applied the ‘flipped’ model in microbiology laboratory classes. Echo360 personal capture software was used to prepare introductory lectures for students to use in preparation for laboratory classes. The built-in analytics of Echo360 were used to quantitatively monitor student usage. More than half the class engaged with the lectures and used them for their intended purpose, i.e. preparation. Students did not engage with the lectures to the same degree for revision purposes. No correlation was found between student lecture usage and their exam grade.