Image-concept learning: Ion channel flash-card game activity for Biosciences students

Ion channels are multimeric proteins that are located in the cell plasma membrane and that open and/or close in response to chemical and mechanical signals. Although fascinating, ion channels are complex, and students can sometimes find this field quite challenging to understand. Electrophysiology, ion permeation and current, propagation of signals…etc are examples of topics that require a high level of understanding. Therefore, interactive activities that enhance students’ learning are highly beneficial.

The resource provided here is an interactive game that was planned for an hour-long workshop to recap contents given in lectures. This game is based on image-concept association-learning, and it aims to stimulate the students’ thinking and learning, using the game as a tool that relates a theoretical concept to an image. This relationship enhances iconicity, stimulating the student’s capacity to find similarity between two different things via imaginative and creative work (Nataša Lacković & Alin Olteanu (2021)).

The game has an array of cards that were personally designed using Biorender. Each card is double sided, and both sides of each card can be seen next to each other in the attached PDF. One side contains one image that is related to one topic that was given in lectures. The other side contains one riddle or question that is associated to such image. New cards can be designed and added without limit, so it is content-specific. Cards are printed, cut, and each side of the card is pasted to one commercially available flash card of 12.5X7.5 cm size. Commercial or industrial printing directly to cardboard or stiff paper is also an option.

In the session, students are spread into teams of 4-5 people, and are given one deck of cards per team. Students are prompted to solve the riddle or question after seeing the image (without looking at lecture notes), posting their answers to any electronic format of choice so it is accessible to everyone and can be followed remotely (Padlet, Power Point, Point solutions…etc). This activity is recommended for level 6 students (year 3).