Blended Bioinformatics Training in Resource-Limited Settings: A case study of challenges and Opportunities for Implementation

Motivation Delivering high quality distance-based courses in resource limited settings is a challenging task. Besides the needed infrastructure and expertise, effective delivery of a bioinformatics course could benefit from hands-on sessions, interactivity, and problem-based learning approaches. Results In this article, we discuss the challenges and best practices in delivering bioinformatics training in limited resource settings taking the example of hosting and running a multiple-delivery online course, Introduction to Bioinformatics (IBT), that was developed by the H3ABioNet Education and Training Working Group and delivered in 27 remote classrooms across Africa in 2017. We take the case of the University of Khartoum classroom. Believing that our local setting is similar to others in less developed countries, so we also reflect upon aspects like classroom environment and recruitment of students to maximize outcomes. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available

[1]  Joanna Wild,et al.  A MOOC approach for training researchers in developing countries , 2017 .

[2]  K. Hew,et al.  Students’ and instructors’ use of massive open online courses (MOOCs): Motivations and challenges , 2014 .

[3]  Russell Schwartz,et al.  The development and application of bioinformatics core competencies to improve bioinformatics training and education , 2018, PLoS Comput. Biol..

[4]  Pedro L. Fernandes,et al.  Designing a course model for distance-based online bioinformatics training in Africa: The H3ABioNet experience , 2017, PLoS Comput. Biol..

[5]  D. Wagner,et al.  MOOCs for Development: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities , 2015 .

[6]  René F. Kizilcec,et al.  Eight-minute self-regulation intervention raises educational attainment at scale in individualist but not collectivist cultures , 2017, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[7]  Michelle D. Brazas,et al.  A global perspective on evolving bioinformatics and data science training needs , 2017, Briefings Bioinform..

[8]  Russell Schwartz,et al.  Bioinformatics Curriculum Guidelines: Toward a Definition of Core Competencies , 2014, PLoS Comput. Biol..

[9]  Özlem Tastan Bishop,et al.  H3ABioNet, a sustainable pan-African bioinformatics network for human heredity and health in Africa , 2016, Genome research.

[10]  M. Kara Distance education: a systems view of online learning , 2020 .

[11]  Nicola J. Mulder,et al.  Bioinformatics Education—Perspectives and Challenges out of Africa , 2014, Briefings Bioinform..

[12]  Ulrik Schroeder,et al.  A Usability Evaluation of a Blended MOOC Environment: An Experimental Case Study. , 2015 .

[13]  Michelle D. Brazas,et al.  Navigating the changing learning landscape: perspective from bioinformatics.ca , 2013, Briefings Bioinform..

[14]  K. Hornik,et al.  Unbiased Recursive Partitioning: A Conditional Inference Framework , 2006 .

[15]  René F. Kizilcec,et al.  Closing global achievement gaps in MOOCs , 2017, Science.

[16]  Anna Tramontano,et al.  Ten Simple Rules for Developing a Short Bioinformatics Training Course , 2011, PLoS Comput. Biol..

[17]  Bernard Nkuyubwatsi Opening up higher education in Rwanda: The potential contribution of extension Massive Open Online Courses (xMOOCs), Open Educational Resources (OER) units in the MIT Open Courseware and different stakeholders , 2016 .