Draw It Wright: Creating Art to Learn Blood Cell Types in Laboratory or Lecture

 

Alison Dell & Irina Ellison

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

Abstract

The traditional biology lecture is an efficient way to deliver large volumes of content. Unfortunately, high volume content delivery does not consistently translate into improvement in student learning. Students often struggle to understand blood cells and their related functions, relying on rote memorization. This protocol provides an alternative pedagogical approach that can be easily integrated into a variety of biology courses in the lab or lecture and adapted for science outreach. Students will engage in a series of observe/draw/discuss exercises using human blood smear slides stained with Wright Stain, an accessible and clinically relevant assay, which visually defines blood cell types.

Keywords:  blood, art in lab, wright stain

Boston University (2015)