The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum for second-year students. Student groups meet three times per week. At each group meeting, one case is finished and a new case is started. Most of the cases were developed as paper-based cases, and then converted to an electronic non-interactive format with the availability of images. In the Neuroscience course, two types of web-based cases are planned for use in spring 2002. One Diagnostic Reasoning (DxR) interactive case simulation will be used as a PBL case. Preceptors will be trained in case navigation prior to the beginning of the course, and a case will be demonstrated during a lecture session to make students aware of the navigation techniques. Several of the other cases will be adapted to an interactive format in which each PBL group will be asked to enter hypotheses and further information requested before proceeding to the next step of the case. In addition, short case scenarios will be presented after students have studied learning issues, and answers to case-based questions from individuals and from PBL groups will be analyzed. Evaluation will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of both types of Web-based interactive cases.

One mode of application of interactive Neuroscience Web-based cases in a PBL curriculum will be described. Student feedback and faculty assessment of the case development and implementation will be presented.

Kathryn L. Lovell, Ph.D.
CHM Academic Programs
A254 Life Sciences
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-353-5440 x221
Fax: 517-432-1051
Email: lovell@msu.edu

CO-AUTHORS:
Mark Hodgins, M.A.
College of Osteopathic Medicine Medical Informatics Fee Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-353-4468
Email: hodgins@msu.edu