Innovative educational strategies can provide variety and enhance student learning while addressing complex logistical and financial issues facing modern anatomy education. Observe-Reflect-Draw-Edit-Repeat (ORDER), a novel cyclical artistic process, has been designed based on cognitivist and constructivist learning theories, and on processes of critical observation, reflection and drawing in anatomy learning. ORDER was initially investigated in the context of a compulsory first year surface anatomy practical (ORDER-SAP) at a United Kingdom medical school in which a cross-over trial with pre-post anatomy knowledge testing was utilized and student perceptions were identified. Despite positive perceptions of ORDER-SAP, medical student (n = 154) pre-post knowledge test scores were significantly greater (P < 0.001) with standard anatomy learning methods (3.26, SD = ±2.25) than with ORDER-SAP (2.17, ±2.30). Based on these findings, ORDER was modified and evaluated in the context of an optional self-directed gross anatomy online interactive tutorial (ORDER-IT) for participating first year medical students (n = 55). Student performance was significantly greater (P < 0.001) with ORDER-IT (2.71 ± 2.17) when compared to a control tutorial (1.31 ± 2.03). Performances of students with visual and artistic preferences when using ORDER were not significantly different (P > 0.05) to those students without these characteristics. These findings will be of value to anatomy instructors seeking to engage students from diverse learning backgrounds in a research-led, innovative, time and cost-effective learning method, in the context of contrasting learning environments. Anat Sci Educ 10: 7-22. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.
To enhance learning and maximise student satisfaction while simultaneously optimising costs and resources within the modern context and environment of integrated anatomy education, it is vital that innovative methods of delivering learning and teaching are considered for implementation into medical curricula. The development of learning processes including observation, visualisation, haptic reasoning and visuospatial ability are strongly associated with the use of artistic approaches. In addition to being crucial for medical student learning of anatomy and other life sciences, such skills are also relevant for training in surgery, clinical observation and diagnosis. The twelve tips outlined here have been identified with the intention of providing guidance for anatomy educators aiming to incorporate innovative creative and artistic approaches into their own teaching practice within medical curricula. These proposals are underpinned by educational theory and recent research that has investigated artistic learning methods in medical education. Recommendations are also based on our personal experiences from both the undergraduate student point of view as well as the academic educator perspective with respect to the usage of creative and artistic learning approaches in anatomy education at Newcastle University.Keywords: Anatomy, Artistic learning methods, Undergraduate medical education Tip 1: Take a scholarly approach When designing and introducing any teaching innovation, in order to provide the best possible educational experience for students, it is important to draw on many aspects of the learning process and environment. To provide a strong pedagogical basis for an artistic learning approach, it is important to identify both the educational theory and research evidence that underpin the practical method. Theories of learning can provide an effective starting point when designing an innovative artistic approach, particularly those that include scope for learning that begins with a basic outline and then gradually builds upon prior knowledge of anatomical structures in order to develop complexity (Ausubel, 2012;Kolb, 1984), a process that can correspond to the production of artwork. Theories of drawing and learning through art (Catterall, 2005;Perkins, 1994;Petherbridge, 2010) can also provide useful insights into the practical educational value of artistic methods. The pedagogical value of artistic methods are primarily related to the motor skills and cognitive processes that are engaged when using such approaches. Research evidence suggests that key elements of observation (Backhouse, Fitzpatrick, Hutchinson, Thandi, & Keenan, 2017;Chamberlain et al., 2014;Jasani & Saks, 2013;Lyon, Letschka, Ainsworth, & Haq, 2013;Moore, Lowe, Lawrence, & Borchers, 2011;Pellico, Friedlaender, & Fennie, 2009) reflection and repetition (Backhouse et al., 2017;Lyon et al., 2013), and visualisation (Pandey & Zimitat, 2007) should be incorporated and emphasised within any artistic learning approach. Haptic (Jones, Minogue, ...
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