THE EFFECT OF GUIDING MATERIALS RELATED TO GENETICS ENGINEERING, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY ON THE SUCCESS OF STUDENTS

In this study, with the aim to achieve a lasting and meaningful learning of the molecular biology, biotechnology and genetic engineering topics, the effects of including experiments to eliminate the inconvenience of the current experiments and application of courses supported by virtual laboratory on learning process were investigated. The selected experiments were simple and could be performed by using easily available and cheap materials. DNA isolation and electrophoresis techniques were taught by three different teaching methods. Teaching methods were determined to be the traditional lecture method, the experimental method and the computer-aided virtual laboratory method; and the three groups were taught by these different teaching methods. Results demonstrated that the average success of students in the experimental group was statistically superior than the average success of groups taught with the traditional lecture and virtual laboratory method. Findings support the notion that, the experimental method was more successful than the traditional lecture and computer-aided virtual laboratory methods, in terms of studentsʹ success and achieving permanent learning. Additionaly, it was found that the permanent learning level of students was in the favor of the virtual laboratory group, compared to that of the traditional lecture group.