Critical Thinking Goes V.I.R.A.L.

Abstract

In this manuscript, we share a free, downloadable activity to teach viral transmission, efficacy of vaccination, and the value of safety compliance measures. It takes approximately 30–40 minutes to conduct following a 5-minute introduction. Additional discussion / out-of-class-assignment time can be varied and adapted to meet the level and time of classes. Sophomore pharmacy majors taking an anatomy and physiology class and junior and senior biology / molecular biology majors taking virology or immunology classes were given a set of questions to assess their comprehension of risk factors for COVID-19 and vaccine prioritization before conducting the activity and after performing the activity. In general, 35% of the time, all groups of students correctly identified the appropriate order of factors assessed according to their impact on COVID-19 risk. Juniors and seniors had markedly greater depth of understanding as a result of completing the activity. While sophomore improvement was less impressive, the sophomores improved their understanding of all addressed complicating factors for COVID-19 infection. Students were also asked to rate the activity for fun and learning effectiveness: 73% of sophomore students and 79% of junior and senior students graded the activity an A or a B for fun, and 74% of sophomore students and 90% of junior and senior students gave the activity an A or B for helping them to understand viral transmission.