Creating Custom Foldit Puzzles for Teaching Biochemistry

Authors

Lorna Dsilva, Northeastern University
Shubhi Mittal, Northeastern University
Brian Koepnick, University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Jeff Flatten, University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Seth Cooper, Northeastern University
Scott Horowitz, University of Denver

Publication Date

1-14-2019

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

College of Natual Science and Mathematics, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Keywords

Biochemistry, Puzzles, Web-based learning

Abstract

The computer game Foldit is currently widely used as a biology and biochemistry teaching aid. Herein, we introduce a new feature of Foldit called “custom contests” that allows educators to create puzzles that fit their curriculum. The effectiveness of the custom contests is demonstrated by the use of five distinct custom contests in an upper‐level biochemistry class. The new custom contest feature can be implemented in classes ranging from middle school to graduate school to enable educators to best complement their current curriculum. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(2): 133–139, 2019.

Publication Statement

Copyright held by author or publisher. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Recommended Citation

Dsilva, L., Mittal, S., Koepnick, B., Flatten, J., Cooper, S., & Horowitz, S.. (2019). Creating custom Foldit puzzles for teaching biochemistry. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 47(2), 133-139. DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21208.