The Genome Solver Website: A Virtual Space Fostering High Impact Practices for Undergraduate Biology

Abstract

While the tools for analysis of prokaryotic genomes are available on the internet and are relatively easy for undergraduates to master, the challenge lies with faculty inexperienced in teaching bioinformatics. To meet this challenge we developed the Genome Solver (GS) website, a community of practice for faculty support and student learning. At the GS site, faculty can learn about face-to-face training opportunities or use the virtual training materials such as primers on the pertinent science, tools, and techniques. Faculty can also find colleagues engaged in similar work as well as relevant curricular materials. The GS site also helps facilitate sharing of student work, so that students can engage in peer-to-peer review. Finally, genomics experts also have a presence on GS and can weigh in on problems or discuss methods.