Use of the NutriBiochem Mobile Application in Nutrition & Biochemistry Education

Mobile technology is an expanding field that allows users to study “anytime, anywhere”. Mobile education targets students who are avid users of technology such as smartphones and tablets. Students may benefit from mobile applications as they serve to conveniently provide instructional materials on familiar devices. The NutriBiochem application (app) was developed at the University of Guelph for use in Nutrition and Biochemistry education at the undergraduate level. The app contains 12 modules related to macro/micronutrients and metabolism, with each module consisting of review cards and multiple choice quizzes. Modules cover a range of topics, from micronutrients to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Review cards include figures, pathway diagrams, and key points. Quiz questions are generated from a pool of over 1000 questions, and feedback detailing student proficiency in various areas is provided upon completion of each quiz. NutriBiochem is available at no cost, for any user with an iOS, Android or BlackBerry device or computer interface; at present, there have been over 3500 downloads across these platforms. The pedagogical impact of this app will be demonstrated by analysis of frequency of app use in relation to student performance, and data regarding user characteristics (such as device and feature preferences) will be presented. It is our goal to determine whether this app is a useful pedagogical tool, and to characterize functions and features of mobile applications that students find appealing