An eight‐year study of online lecture use in a medical gross anatomy and embryology course

Online lectures have been used in lieu of live lectures in our gross anatomy and embryology course for the past eight years. We examined patterns of online lecture use by our students and related that use to academic entry measures, gender and examination performance. Detailed access records identified by student were available from server logs. Total views per page of lecture material increased over the first six years, then decreased markedly between years seven and eight, possibly due to the recent availability of alternate forms of lecture audio. Lecture use peaked in midafternoon and again in the evening, although some use was seen at all hours. Usage was highest at midweek and lowest on Fridays as might be expected. Individual student's use varied widely from rates equivalent to less than one viewing/page to more than three viewings per page. Overall use by male students was greater than that of females and gender‐specific differences in the daily pattern were seen. Lecture use was correlated to the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) Verbal Reasoning and Physical Sciences scores but not to composite MCAT scores or undergraduate grade point average. Overall use appeared to be driven by scheduled team‐based learning (TBL) sessions and major examinations. Specific subsets of lecture material were most often viewed before related TBL sessions and again during review for examinations. A small but significant correlation between lecture use and examination and course performance was seen, specifically in the male student population. These findings, along with earlier observations, suggest that varied use of online lectures is attributable to multiple factors. Anat Sci Educ © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.     

Anatomical Sciences Education Vol. 5, Issue 3, 2012 Cover Image

Medical students at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, learn clinical facts about the hepatobiliary system as transplant surgeon Dr. Vivian McAlister (at the far right) demonstrates Whipple's procedure in the anatomy laboratory. In this issue of ASE, Ullah and colleagues describe an extracurricular student initiative known as the Surgically Oriented Anatomy Program (SOAP), which aims to deliver anatomy teaching from a surgical perspective through the philosophy of “education through recreation”.     

Maximizing modern distribution of complex anatomical spatial information: 3D reconstruction and rapid prototype production of anatomical corrosion casts of human specimens

Anatomical corrosion casts of human specimens are useful teaching aids. However, their use is limited due to ethical dilemmas associated with their production, their lack of perfect reproducibility, and their consumption of original specimens in the process of casting. In this study, new approaches with modern distribution of complex anatomical spatial information were explored to overcome these limitations through the digitalization of anatomical casts of human specimens through three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction, rapid prototype production, and Web‐based 3D atlas construction. The corrosion cast of a lung, along with its associated arteries, veins, trachea, and bronchial tree was CT‐scanned, and the data was then processed by Mimics software. Data from the lung casts were then reconstructed into 3D models using a hybrid method, utilizing both “image threshold” and “region growing.” The fine structures of the bronchial tree, arterial, and venous network of the lung were clearly displayed and demonstrated their distinct relationships. The multiple divisions of bronchi and bronchopulmonary segments were identified. The 3D models were then uploaded into a rapid prototype 3D printer to physically duplicate the cast. The physically duplicated model of the lung was rescanned by CT and reconstructed to detect its production accuracy. Gross observation and accuracy detection were used to evaluate the duplication and few differences were found. Finally, Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) was used to edit the 3D casting models to construct a Web‐based 3D atlas accessible through Internet Explorer with 3D display and annotation functions. Anat Sci Educ. © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.     

基础教育内涵发展均衡度评估指标构建及在渝西地区的实践*

本文基于我国统筹城乡教育发展大背景,结合重庆市城乡二元结构突出及统筹城乡教育建设实际案例,提出基于教育基尼系数建构基础教育内涵发展均衡度监测评估指标体系,并应用这些指标分析渝西某地区的教育发展均衡度。指出区域教育要想更有作为,必须以先进的理念为指导、以科学的方法为支撑,构建合理的基础教育内涵发展均衡度评估指标以促进教育均衡的良性发展。     

李鸿章与淮系集团研究的新视野

李鸿章和淮系集团一直备受学术界关注,但研究视野多集中于革命和近代化视野。若从更为宏观的角度,借鉴管理学的某些方法来看待二者之间的关系,李鸿章领导的淮系集团已具备现代企业的雏形。     

田径专修学生基础理论知识的现状与分析

通过问卷调查法和逻辑分析法,对本科体育教育专业田径专修学生的基础理论知识的现状进行了调查与分析,并对如何培养田径专修学生的基础理论知识提出了相应对策,旨在为新形势下培养具有综合素质的田径专门人才提供参考。     

远程教育学习者沉淀现象分析

沉淀现象在远程教育实践中普遍存在,这一现象被认为是远程教育机构实行弹性学制的自然结果而被忽视或缺乏研究。对远程教育沉淀现象进行研究,采用统计资料分析法、问卷调查法和访谈法,分析广东某大学网络教育学院的远程学习者的沉淀规律,对远程教育机构在学生支持服务、课程开发与管理等方面提供借鉴。     

唐代女子体育的盛况及其原因探析

女子体育是唐代体育文化的重要组成部分,它不但在中国古代体育史上熠熠生辉,在世界古代体育史上也独树一帜。分析唐代女子体育发展的盛况及原因可知,其发展是唐代社会进步和女子地位改善的产物。这一研究为当今女子体育以及社会体育的发展提供参考。     

当前素质教育中若干问题的思考

我国当前素质教育实践中存在轰轰烈烈素质教育和扎扎实实的应试教育的矛盾、自然科学和人文社会科学教育、知识教育和道德教育相脱离的矛盾、素质教育与社会环境不配套等一系列矛盾。素质教育是一个社会性的系统工程,需要全社会各方的关心和参与才能正确开展。解决这些矛盾需要教育理论创新、制度和政策创新与人事制度改革等一系列的创新和改革。     

培育历史意识 培养宽容品质——对当前大学历史教育之反思

大学历史教育是对青年一代开展爱国主义教育和道德教育的主阵地。通过历史教育,培养大学生正确的历史观和价值观,进而凝练、升华为更高层次的历史意识和宽容品质,在更深的层面上思索个人与社会的关系,理性地看待和理解人类的过去,加深对现实的审视和洞察,丰富对未来的企望和憧憬,从而增进对社会和民族的责任感和使命感。这不仅是当前历史教育的主旨,更是促进大学生全面健康发展的基本要求。