Clinical Laboratory Instrumentation is a required course in the Program in Medical Technology Education at SUNY Upstate Medical University at Syracuse; it is also an integral component in Pathology Residency Training. Learning and understanding abstract principles of laboratory instrumentation require visual aids with elaborate examples. A more effective approach is to assign a project title to each student/resident with specific instructions and guidelines to do literature review, develop a cohesive project, and present to the class and instructors for discussion and evaluation.

To this end we developed a self-directed student-authoring module consisting of:

• Data entry HTML templates with designated fields to which the student/resident may input and edit text, graphics, and images related to the project.
• A database created in FileMaker Pro (FileMaker, Santa Clara, CA) with matching fields that automatically stores the input data
• A presentation Web site consisting of HTML pages that use CDML (Claris Dynamic Markup Language) to extract contents from the database and JavaScript for enhanced visual display.
• The presentation Web site is pre-linked to our Web-based Clinical Pathology Laboratory Testing Manual. Information on appropriate laboratory tests performed by the instrument at presentation and associated clinical significance may be promptly retrieved for display and discussion.

Student feedback on this mode of learning has been positive. Besides learning informatics as a bonus, they found explaining to an audience helps consolidating and crystallizing the concept of principles of instrumentation, and they cherished the instant gratification of seeing their own projects on display.

Participants will learn from this presentation:

• An alternative mode of learning by having the student play the role of the teacher
• The value of using a database to guide the student in organizing a project

A preformatted database ensures that the required aspects of instrument principles are adequately covered in all projects

Robert L. Sunheimer
Program in Clinical Laboratory Science
College of Health Professions
State University of New York
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315-464-5337
Fax: 315-464-7130
Email: sunheimr@upstate.edu

CO-AUTHORS:
Jannie Woo, Ph.D.
Department of Pathology
State University of New York
Upstate Medical University
750 E Adams Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315-464-6717
Fax: 315-464-7130
Email: wooj@upstate.edu
Website: www.ec.upstate.edu/path/
www.upstate.edu/pathology/