Project-based learning in metabolic biochemistry teaching

Abstract

Biochemistry is a curricular component that is present in Chemistry and Biology Teacher Training Courses and students usually consider it complex. The use of active learning methodologies seeks to make the learning process of this component significant using real and authentic learning situations and placing the student at the center of the teaching-learning process. Project-Based Learning (PBL) was chosen to teach Metabolic Biochemistry to 4th-year students of Teacher Training Course in Nature Sciences with Qualification in Chemistry of IFMT - Campus Confresa. The theme "Metabolic diseases" was defined as the starting point for the execution of the projects and the following diseases were addressed: diabetes, hypothyroidism and lactose intolerance. PBL was an efficient strategy in the teaching of Metabolic Biochemistry because it was able to gather the three dimensions for the development of competences: the construction of knowledge (through the content approach), the development of skills (teamwork, oral and written communication skills, the use of digital tools) and demonstration of attitudes (through awareness of current problems in society and the use of Biochemistry in the prevention or solution of these problems).

Keywords

• Metabolic biochemistry
• Metabolic Diseases. Project-Based Learning
• Active Learning Methodologies