Finding and Using Rich Content for Medical Education
Robert S. Stephenson
Wayne State University
Abstract:
What is rich content, and why should I
care?
Rich content, such as simulations,
animations, 3-D models and interactive quizzes and tutorials, helps students to
learn better, learn more, remember better and enjoy it more. Since it leads to more effective teaching,
it will soon be expected in every course.
What constitutes good quality rich
content?
Besides scientific accuracy, rich
content must adhere to principles of sound design and pedagogy. The Harvey Project
(http://harveyproject.org), an open course collaboration to build rich content
for physiology, has developed procedures and standards for peer review of rich
content.
Where can I find good, free rich
content?
The Harvey Project and similar open
course projects are developing free rich content. There are a number of databases that allow you to search for rich
content of a particular sort on a particular topic.
How can I assemble Web-based rich
content into a lecture or chapter of an online course?
This introduces Beads&String, an
open source tool which allows a faculty member to assemble a collection of Web
pages into a particular sequence (like stringing beads for a necklace) and then
give that string to students to follow in a Web browser. If Web pages are the atoms of online
learning, what has been lacking until now have been the covalent bonds to bind
pre-existing pages together into a molecule (such as a chapter). With beads&string, navigation from page
to page is done through a thin title bar at the top with 'previous' and 'next'
buttons. You can see an example of beads&string in use at
http://www.science.wayne.edu/~bio340/ActionPotential/index.html
Benefit in Attending
Session:
PRIMARY AUTHOR'S
INFORMATION
Dr. Robert S. Stephenson
Dept. of Biol. Sciences
5047 Gullen Mall
Wayne State Univ.
Detroit MI 48202
Telephone Number: 313 577-2869
Fax Number: 313 577-6891
E-mail Address: rstephe@sun.science.wayne.edu
Web Site: http://harveyproject.org