It is increasingly important to utilize novel approaches to improve student learning. This has become especially relevant throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic. Previous studies have shown positive outcomes of blended learning on student satisfaction. Yet, there are limited data in the field of biology on how blended learning practices correlate with overall student performance. Moreover, there is a dearth of information on student perceptions about how blended learning has impacted their education. Through this study, we present insights on the impact of blended learning in a first‐year cell and molecular biology course. Using mixed‐methods research, we evaluated the impact of a blended learning course format on student performance in the learning categories of knowledge and understanding, communication and application, and critical thinking and inquiry. Using a pre‐ vs. postintervention analysis, we show that a blended learning course model does not change students’ performance on multiple‐choice and short answer assessments when compared to a nonblended learning course model. Through a qualitative assessment of student perceptions and sentiments, however, the implemented blended learning approach does appear to provide significant perceived benefits, including learner flexibility, consolidation of content, and the opportunity to apply course content to the ‘real world’. While we recognize that our report describes a very specific blended learning model, we believe that our findings are generalizable to similar introductory courses. As such, we are confident that our case study will provide course designers with a useful foundation to build future blended learning courses.

Given the precedent findings of health inequalities in Hamilton, ON and the rapid increase of elderly populations in Canada as a whole, this article looks for areas of deficient health services within the Hamilton region, characterized as “healthcare deserts,” and examines the possible implications with respect to the residing senior populations. Maps were constructed by overlaying median household income and percentage of population over 65 with the locations of healthcare services frequented by seniors. Qualitative analysis revealed that the distribution of senior services has no correlation to the senior population, and that senior services tend to be concentrated in lower income areas. This research has exposed the existence of healthcare deserts in most regions of Hamilton except the downtown core. Since seniors are less able to travel longer distances, living far away from these services could act as a barrier, inhibiting access and reducing quality of life. Concerns regarding accessibility of health services will become more important as this demographic grows, so mapping services in this manner can inform urban planning to minimize the impacts of these deserts.