Socra-Tease: A True Computer Mentor
Gregory J.
Naus, MD and Kathleen A. Ferraro, MA
University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Two
well-recognized and often conflicting educational realities are the enormous
advantages of small group, problem-based instruction and the constant and
economically predictable shortage of qualified faculty to mentor this type of
learning environment. To remedy this
conflict between instructional and resource efficiency we developed
Socra-Tease, a computer-based educational resource designed to provide true
independent problem-based mentoring. In
addition, Socra-Tease was designed to provide broad applicability to a wide
range of subject materials, simultaneous presentation to varied target audiences,
valid and reliable testing and evaluation, broad availability via local area
networks and the internet, simple maintenance and quality control, and finally
reliable and timely mentor-to-student and student-to-mentor feedback.
Design: The central
design element of Socra-Tease and its image-based derivative Morpho-Logic is a
series of sequentially ordered, faculty designed, content dense multiple choice
questions coordinated with an external authoritative resource and faculty
developed discussions. Each question is
identical in format and is intended to be addressed by the individual or small
group in the following manner: 1) review of the context statement, question and
answer choices; 2) evaluation of answer choices using the provided
authoritative resource; 3) selection and recording of answer choice; and 4)
review of detailed discussion. The true
instructional power and integrity of this deceptively simple repeated sequence
becomes increasingly apparent with use, going far beyond the traditional use of
computers as repositories of didactic presentations, resource organizers,
laboratory substitutes, and distributors of operational information.
Application: The initial
application of Socra-Tease was in a forty-hour pathobiology course presented to
the 140-member freshman medical student class at the University of Pittsburgh
in March of 2002. This course consisted
of eight Socra-Tease small group sessions followed by didactic review lectures
resulting in a final ratio of small group to lecture time of three-to-one. The course also provided two formative
examinations based on Socra-Tease questions and discussions.
Discussion:
Exceptionally high student attendance, performance and course evaluation
as well as the receipt of an Excellence in Education award for the
Socra-Tease-based pathobiology course demonstrated that Socra-Tease provided
the advantages of small group, problem-based instruction while conserving
faculty time. Socra-Tease is currently
being enhanced to allow for student remediation and the option of on-line
testing. Its application in medical
education as well as other instructional environments is just beginning to be
understood and exploited.
-
To
view a pedagogically appropriate small-group computer mentor
-
To
view the integration of a computer mentor into a medical school curriculum
-
To
view integrated computer remediation, testing and credentialing
-
To
discuss potential applications in undergraduate, medical and post-graduate education
|
Primary Author:
Gregory J. Naus, MD Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMCHS Department of Pathology 300 Halket Street Pittsburgh, PA
15213 Telephone:
412-641-4956 Fax:
412-641-1675 E-mail: gnaus@mail.magee.edu |
Co-authors:
Kathleen A. Ferraro, MA University of Pittsburgh Office of Medical Education M211 Scaife Hall Pittsburgh, PA
15261 Telephone:
412-648-1099 Fax:
412-383-7477 E-mail address:
mailto:kaf1+@pitt.edu |