Computer Simulations in Physiology Medical Education
Dr. Heiner Busch
iAS interActive Systems GmbH
ABSTRACT:
Living organisms are highly complex and dynamic systems. The experience from experiments is crucial to gain deep understanding of biological functions. Unfortunately, experiments have disadvantages: some need live animals, and many of the most interesting experiments are not adaptable to normal university teaching. In contrast to textbooks, computer simulations have high impact in demonstrating dynamic interrelations. The computer technologies offer novel possibilities of matching multimedia techniques, numerical model construction and profound knowledge of biological processes.
"Virtual Physiology" is a multimedia computer simulation series which covers all major areas of physiology. The programs offer virtual laboratory equipment where students can do their own experiments. All settings of the physiological parameters are freely adjustable. The core of these programs are mathematical algorithms. They enable Physiologically adequate reactions of the preparations and consider the biological variance: Every sample has its own characteristics. This feature is not only essential for obtaining true simulations, but also the basis for application in a "virtual university" where an unlimited number of different experiments and individual tests are needed.
The concept "learning by doing" is the motto of this presentation. The attendees will be guided step by step through simulations of the heart,muscles, vessels and the patch-clamp-experiment. The group can follow the time-dependencies of dynamic processes and change physiological control parameters to see the effects on the system’s behavior.
BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
This pre-workshop offers the participants an in-depth and entertaining View of the simulation programs. The audience can chose the parameters which are applied to the different organs and thus interactively explore the programs. The implications of such simulations for teaching and learning will be discussed.
Dr. Heiner Busch
iAS interActive Systems GmbH
Scheppe Gewissegasse 28
35039 Marburg
Phone: 0049-6421-92770
Fax: 0049.6421.92102
Email: heiner.busch@brainmedia.de
Website:http:// www.brainmedia.de