Peer Review

Oxidase Test

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Sep 2, 2018 by Biology

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The oxidase test is used in aiding the identification of bacteria that produce cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme of the bacterial electron transport chain. This website offers material covering the oxidase test including the purpose, mechanisms, components, methods, step-by-step instructions, and interpretation of results. There is also a link that allows students to experience and practice on executing an oxidase test.

Type of Material:

Interactive simulation

Recommended Uses:

Could be done in class, for homework, as a pre-lab, in groups, or individually.

Technical Requirements:

Used on Safari, Chrome, and Opera in OSX. Requires Java and Flash

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Students can practice performing the oxidase test on a number of organisms and learn the purpose, mechanisms, components, methods, step-by-step instructions, and interpretation of an oxidase test.

Target Student Population:

High school, undergraduate and allied health professional courses

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Students will need basic computer navigational skills (enter URL, click and drag, etc.). Otherwise, the interface is very user-friendly. No specific prerequisite knowledge required because the site allows students to read about necessary components before starting the simulation.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

This is a nice, basic simulation for performing an oxidase test.
Provides a hard copy of the procedure, organisms to be tested change with each restart of the simulation.
Accompanying website has description of organisms that are oxidase positive.

Concerns:

none

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Summarizes each step in written format, video format, and in visual simulation.
Students are specifically informed when they make an error like doing something in the wrong order.
Can also be used to reinforce which organisms they expect to be oxidase positive and which should be negative.

Concerns:

Does not specifically identify prerequisite knowledge.
The first bacterium in the simulation gives a negative test that shows a very slight color/tint change. Students may mistake it for a positive test since they have not seen a positive test yet, but this will be quickly rectified once they see the results of an oxidase-positive organism.
No way to assess student learning/outcomes or to give a completion grade.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

High quality visual design.
Easy to follow instructions.
The simulation runs fairly smooth.

Concerns:

The stick used to pick a colony off the plate does not always respond to choosing an isolated colony. It seems to only prefer one or two colonies, regardless of the plate. Same issue happens when disposing of the Dryslide in to the biohazard bucket. The slide has to be positioned just right so the simulation accepts that it is being disposed of. It is a bit annoying, but does not detract from overall usefulness and effectiveness as a teaching tool.

Other Issues and Comments:: Great little tool that would be good material to use in any pathogenic microbiology course.
Creative Commons: