How FGCU Library Supports Lower Failure Rates in Gateway STEM Courses

Video gives students another way to follow difficult biology and chemistry content, while ready-made materials let instructors add support without producing new resources themselves.

These four prompts can help guide conversations with faculty about where best visual support can help.

• ▪️ Where are students losing momentum?
  Ask which topics need repeated explanation, where students arrive least prepared, and which labs or assessments reveal the same gaps each term.
  
• ▪️ What would be clearer if students could see it?
  Focus on processes, experiments, and spatial relationships that are especially difficult to follow in text. The latest JoVE Core Biology videos use lifelike and scientifically accurate animations for foundational topics.
  
• ▪️ Which part of the course needs stronger support?
  Identify the chapter, unit, or lab sequence where a video playlist could add the most value. This may be for pre-class preparation, lab readiness, review, or extra support after a difficult topic.
  
• ▪️ How should the playlist fit into the course?
  Discuss how the resource would be added to the LMS. JoVE videos are easy to integrate, with dedicated support available to help faculty select, organize, and add content to their courses.

At FGCU, ready-to-use video gave instructors a practical way to strengthen general biology and chemistry courses without creating new materials themselves.

For libraries, this creates a stronger link between resource decisions and institutional priorities such as student progression, retention, and lower DFW rates.

A well-matched chapter playlist can support a large number of students and be refined over time using course feedback and usage data.

See how JoVE can support stronger learning outcomes at your institution.