The Use of Telematic Education in Problem-Orientated Curricula in an Anatomy Department
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pretoria
Abstract:
Changes in a multitude of arenas have challenged the Department of
Anatomy at the University of Pretoria to develop new strategies in order to
maximize resources. Challenges include
new problem-orientated curricula aimed at delivering health-care professionals
capable of life-long learning. Such curricula are horizontally and vertically
integrated, make use of case studies as the basis for course content and
involve increasing self-study components.
One of the major difficulties facing an Anatomy Department in a
Medical Faculty is the provision of human material for study purposes.
Worldwide, dissection and cadaver material is diminishing as a learning medium,
with students being taught using only wet specimens. The Anatomy Department of
the University of Pretoria has a firm belief that human dissection is the best medium to teach anatomical
structure. However, with new legislation the availability of human material is
diminishing, whilst the student numbers are increasing. Furthermore, the
philosophy of allowing students more time to study on their own, together with
increased demands on limited resources, has prompted the Department of Anatomy
to adopt a new approach to presenting anatomical information.
Telematic Education (i.e. a learning system inclusive of all forms
of distance learning) is one of the University of Pretoria's main-stream
activities, as it accommodates the philosophy of flexible learning and
student-based self-determined rates of progress. Thus the Department of Anatomy has established an in-house
Telematic Task Group for research and development of appropriate telematic
programmes.
In addition to the purchase of commercially available
computer-based Learning (CBL) material, the group have designed and implemented
suitable web-based courses. During undergraduate practical sessions CBL
stations are integrated in order to illustrate, for example radiological images
or other material not readily available in the Department.
Web-based courses are currently being developed for post-graduate
students in Radiography and Family Medicine. The rational for the development
of these courses includes the lessening of contact hours for practitioners away
from their practices (and therefore the cost). Constant communication between
students and staff is enabled via the Web, as is improved availability of the
facilities of the Department of Anatomy. The contents of the courses were put
onto CD ROM to provide more efficient delivery of graphics and to lower the
time and finances spent on studying online. The contents of these interactive
courses include text, graphics, clinical cases, X-rays, museum specimens and
wet specimens.
The use of CBL packages can however, never replace the value of
the hands-on experience of dissection and wet specimen study. These products
should therefore always be supplemented with appropriate contact hours where
students can interact with and experience the "real thing".
Benefit in Attending
Session:
This poster illustrates the combination of the Web and CD ROM to
maximize the resources available in an Anatomy Department. The products were
developed with spesific needs of students in view, but may be of use to other
courses as well.
Detken Scheepers
PO Box 2034
Department of Anatomy
Faculty of Medicine
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, RSA
0001
Telephone Number: +27 12
319-2235
Fax Number: +27 12
319-2240
E-mail Address: mscheepe@medic.up.ac.za
N Lizamore
JM Boon
JH Meiring
Address(es):
PO Box 2034
Department of Anatomy
Faculty of Medicine
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, RSA
0001
Telephone Number(s):
+27 12 319-2233
Fax Number(s):
+27 12 319-2240
E-mail Address(es):
mailto:jmeiring@medic.up.ac.za
mailto:nlizamor@medic.up.ac.za