Hamm, L. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2018

A Cross-Platform Comparison of Student’s Perceptions of the Learning Environment in an Introductory Microbiology Course

AbstractStudents positive perceptions of the learning environment increase retention and persistence in STEM disciplines. This study presents results from a Learning Environment Questionnaire administered at the beginning and end of the semester in a redesigned general/introductory microbiology course offered in traditional lecture, flipped and online sections. Split-sample t-tests and chi-squared tests were used for cross-section and within section analyses, respectively. The findings support the study hypothesis that student perceptions of the learning environment will vary as a function of platform. This work demonstrates the additional effect of the time in the semester when students complete the questionnaire and this effect on students perceptions over the course of the semester relative to their initial perceptions. The results of this study offer insight on student perceptions of the learning environment as universities embrace online education in introductory and gateway courses as a response to rising student enrollments and diminishing resources.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2017

A comparison of tests for quantifying sensory eye dominance

Clinicians rely heavily on stereoacuity to measure binocular visual function, but stereo-vision represents only one aspect of binocularity. Lab-based tests of sensory eye dominance (SED) are commonplace, but have not been translated to wider clinical practice. Here we compare several methods of quantifying SED in a format suitable for clinical use. We tested 30 participants with ostensibly normal vision on 8 tests. Seven tests (#1-7) were designed to quantify SED in the form of an interocular balance-point (BP). In tests #1-6, we estimated a contrast-BP, the interocular difference in contrast required for observers to be equally likely to base their judgement on either eye, whereas in test #7 we measured binocular rivalry (interocular ratio of sensory dominance duration). We compare test-retest reliability (intra-observer consistency) and test-validity (inter-observer discriminatory power) and compare BP to stereoacuity (test #8). The test that best preserved inter-observer differences in contrast balance while maintaining good test-retest reliability was a polarity judgement using superimposed opposite-contrast polarity same-identity optotypes. A reliable and valid measure of SED can be obtained rapidly (20 trials) using a simple contrast-polarity judgement. Tests that use polarity-rivalrous stimuli elicit more reliable judgments than those that do not.\n\nSignificance StatementAlthough sensory eye dominance is central to understanding normal and disordered binocular vision, there is currently no consensus as to the best way to measure it. Here we compare several candidate measures of sensory eye dominance and conclude that a reliable measure of SED can be achieved rapidly using a judgement of stimulus contrast-polarity.

neuroscience↗