Proposal Title
Reimagining the Laboratory Experience: From Model to Simulation
Session Type
Presentation
Room
P&A Rm 148
Start Date
July 2015
Keywords
simulation, anatomy, dissection, rat
Primary Threads
Education Technologies and Innovative Resources
Abstract
A challenge for any scientific lab is the alignment of the use of resources with learning outcomes. Medical Sciences 4900 is a fourth year laboratory course that has previously used a live rat model. The rationale for the use of the rats, was to convey anatomical knowledge as well as pathology. However, the use of rats did not align well with our learning outcomes. In this proposal we will present our innovative solution: we developed a rat dissection simulation used in combination with a high-resolution video to replace the live rats.
Implementation of the simulation has provided two benefits. The first is that we have eliminated the use of animals and all associated ethical issues. The second is that this change allows the students to design and execute their own experiments, which better aligns with the outcomes of this course.
In this session, participants will learn about the design and implementation of the simulation. Audience members will have the opportunity to experience the dissection simulation on their own computers. We will also present preliminary results from our study, which evaluated the efficacy of, and attitudes towards our simulation. Participants can use this information to reflect on their own use of animals in education.
Elements of Engagement
We will be encouraging participants to "BYOD" (bring your own devices) so that they may try out the simulation during the presentation. We will also be including a discussion regarding the education scholarship associated with this project and inviting feedback from session participants.
Reimagining the Laboratory Experience: From Model to Simulation
P&A Rm 148
A challenge for any scientific lab is the alignment of the use of resources with learning outcomes. Medical Sciences 4900 is a fourth year laboratory course that has previously used a live rat model. The rationale for the use of the rats, was to convey anatomical knowledge as well as pathology. However, the use of rats did not align well with our learning outcomes. In this proposal we will present our innovative solution: we developed a rat dissection simulation used in combination with a high-resolution video to replace the live rats.
Implementation of the simulation has provided two benefits. The first is that we have eliminated the use of animals and all associated ethical issues. The second is that this change allows the students to design and execute their own experiments, which better aligns with the outcomes of this course.
In this session, participants will learn about the design and implementation of the simulation. Audience members will have the opportunity to experience the dissection simulation on their own computers. We will also present preliminary results from our study, which evaluated the efficacy of, and attitudes towards our simulation. Participants can use this information to reflect on their own use of animals in education.