Adapting a biochemistry lab course for distance-learning during the covid-19 pandemic

Gonzaga University is a small, private, liberal arts institution that values engaging, humanistic learning environments. During the coronavirus pandemic, the University moved its in-person learning to a distance-learning format, and an extra week of spring break was given to faculty to oversee this transition. This communication focuses on how our introductory biochemistry lab course was modified for students to complete the final 6 weeks of the semester in the distance-learning format. The instructors worked collaboratively on this transition and focused on reassessing the learning objectives, finding creative solutions for students to experience laboratory techniques, and supporting and engaging our students. A survey administered to students at the end of the semester highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both our in-person and distance-learning lab formats. This sudden change to course delivery in spring 2020 highlighted that we need to be prepared to teach under many unexpected scenarios. The student responses, along with faculty reflections, are being used to plan how our lab can be improved upon and delivered in a variety of modalities, including in-person, distancing-learning, and hybrid models.