CASK: a Clinically-based Interactive Multi-learning Approach to Anatomy
O.P. Gobée, A.C.G. Wenink, J.M. van Baalen, R.E. Poelmann,
P.M. Bloemendaal, A.C. Gittenberger-de Groot.
Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
ABSTRACT:
In addition to computer-based-training (CBT) programs in anatomy, which are mainly electronic text books or atlases, the need is felt for real interactive tutorials. CASK (Clinical Anatomical Skills) is such a program. It incorporates several novel didactical and technical approaches.
Didactical approach and novelties
The organization of CASK is centered on a clinical problem, such as a specific surgical procedure. It deals with the anatomy necessary to understand symptoms, diagnostics, and the surgery regarding this clinical problem. The lesson presents itself interactively:
- There are questions to which the student has to find the answers independently by using reference resources in a separate section.
- The student’s answers and the computer’s reactions are presented dialogue-like, with responses increasing in support from first to later attempts, like a teacher coaching a student.
- If the student uses the "tutor-button’, a hint or additional information is presented, which contents depend on the actual situation in the lesson.
- Interactive animations are incorporated.
- At several moments in the lesson optional in-depth information is available on request.
The subject matter is presented in several complementary ways, catering for different learning-styles/approaches and enhancing insight and remembrance:
- The main approach is interactive and clinically based, enhancing active studying and connecting anatomical knowledge with its practical application.
- Besides that, at all times during the lesson, a reference/look-up section is available that presents the matter in a anatomically structured way. This enables the student to form a structured background to which the new knowledge can be attached. It also allows students to study the anatomical theory first, before entering the clinically directed lesson.
The reference-section is shown in a separate dragable and resizable window, enabling simultaneous viewing of matter in the main lesson and look-up material.
- Parallel with the tutorial, dissected specimens showing the surgical approach, are made available to add three-dimensional insight to the non-palpable computer-images.
- CASK can be studied in combination with, or supplementary to, a previously developed, sophisticated Dynamic Patient Simulation CBT-program.
Technical approach and novelties
- The program is web-based, developed using DHTML, JavaScript and Flash
- A technique is developed to scale the pages to fit different monitor-sizes/resolutions.
- External web-available JavaScript freeware is used to build a drop-down menu-structure as in Office programs (http://www.webreference.com/dhtml/hiermenus) and a treev iew as in Windows Explorer (http://www.geocities.com/marcelino_martins/foldertree.html).
- In the reference section links are made to valuable existing resources like ADAM online anatomy (http://www.adam.com/b2b/products/elearning/aoa.htm) and a Visible Human viewer.
- Specimens will be plastinated, enabling preservation, and examination outside the dissection room.
BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
Acquiring didactical and technical CBT-ideas:
- anatomy primarily presented clinically
- multi-learning-style presentation
- interactivity and simulating of teacher-role in several ways
- dissected specimens offered parallel to CBT-program
- JavaScript technique for scaling of web-pages to fit resolution
- web-available JavaScript freeware for drop-down menu-structure and treeview Explorer
Paul GobČe
Leiden University Medical Center,
Dept. of Anatomy of Embryology
P.O.Box 9602
2300 RC Leiden
the Netherlands
Phone: +31 71 5276673 / 5276661
Fax: +31 71 5276680
Email: opgobee@lumc.nl
CO-AUTHORS:
A.C.G. Waning (1), J.M. van Baalen (2), R.E. Poelmann (1),
P.M.
Bloemendaal (2), A.C. Gittenberger-de Groot (1).
(1) Leiden University Medical Center,
Dept. of Anatomy of Embryology
P.O.Box 9602
2300 RC Leiden
the Netherlands
(2) Leiden University Medical Center,
Dept. of Surgery
Postal Zone K6-R
P.O.Box 9600
2300 RC Leiden
the Netherlands
Phone: (1) +31 71 5276661
(2) +31 71 5264039
Fax: (1) +31 71 5276680
(2) +31 71 5266750
Email: A.C.G.Wenink@lumc.nl
J.M.van_Baalen@lumc.nl
R.E.Poelmann@lumc.nl
P.M.Bloemendaal@lumc.nl
A.C.Gittenberger-de_Groot@lumc.nl
Website: http://www.medfac.leidenuniv.nl/heelkunde_onderwijs/
http://www.medfac.leidenuniv.nl/heelkunde_onderwijs/DPS/dps.htm