This website includes information of various cultivation media for bacteria. The names of common bacteriologic media including the type, purpose, interpretation and photos of each media is provided. Photos of examples of organisms growing on the selective media are also included. Some of the common bacteriologic media represented on this site are Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA), Mannitol Salt Agar and Thayer-Martin Agar. The link to the mirror site provides more extensive information on working with bacteria in the microbiology laboratory.
Type of Material:
Reference Material, Images
Recommended Uses:
Can be used for in-class or laboratory discussion, lecture, as homework, or as reference material for individual and team projects.
Technical Requirements:
Java, updated browser to view images.
Tests on Safari, Chrome, and Opera in OSX
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Learn the purpose for using differential media
There are no student learning outcomes specifically listed on the site. However, users of the site will learn the following:
A small sample of generally used agars; some are differential and/or selective.
See characteristics of specific bacteria that will grow on each agar from images.
Target Student Population:
high school, community college, undergraduate, and allied health professionals
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Basic biology and microbiology terminology
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Media chosen are commonly used
samples of organisms appropriate for each medium are provided
The difference between general purpose. differential, and selective media is clearly stated.
Images of bacteria on media can be easily enlarged.
Home site provides learning objectives and contact information for author.
Concerns:
The site is titled Differential Media but some of the media described are not differential.
The selection of media is relatively small.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The material could be integrated into lab courses and be used as home study material
The material would work well as an introduction to some commonly used media
Users can use the images provided to get familiar with appearance of specific bacteria on each medium
Concerns:
The small number of media presented may not meet needs of prospective users.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Information is well organized.
Images are clear and easy to see when enlarged for close up views.
Text is in a non-serif font, which should provide access for text to speech readers.
Concerns:
Would help to provide link to the home/mirror site at the bottom of the module page and indicate if this is copyrighted or CC licensed material.
It may not be immediately apparent to all users that the images can be enlarged.
Other Issues and Comments:
None
Creative Commons:
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