By Zvi Ostrin and Vyacheslav Dushenkov
Mobile devices offer many pedagogical opportunities—especially easy access to textual information and visual resources, three-dimensional representation of anatomical structures, as well as the ability to study dynamic processes—powerful capabilities that traditional textbooks cannot match.
In light of these advantages, we designed a one-semester study, which was funded by a C3IRG grant, to evaluate the pedagogical utility of mobile devices and content-specific application software in the Anatomy and Physiology lab-oratory. Our primary hypothesis going forward was that mobile devices and content-specific apps would increase student enthusiasm and engagement. Two hundred and eighty students and five lab instructors were involved in the lab activities. Four core topics were examined: Tissues and Integument, Skeletal System, Muscle System, and the Heart.
We used Apple iPads as mobile device platforms to run the digital apps in the experimental lab sections. Hostos Ed Tech was invaluable in acquiring and installing the necessary apps, as well as insuring the timely distribution of iPads in twenty different lab periods.
The “experimental” lab section uses iPads and apps.
Pedagogical assessment and conclusion
The experimental students’ responses were measured via exit surveys. Our data support the conclusion that enthusiasm and engagement in the A&P 1 lab increase when students use mobile devices and content-specific apps.
Metacognitive assessment of the students revealed that they felt that using the apps and into gains in learning, understanding, and information retention. The five instructors were also surveyed and interviewed. In general, they found that mobile devices and apps could play a positive and useful role in the lab. This modality was a “new and attractive way of presenting the material taught for that class,” which kept the students engaged in learning. The instructors felt that the novelty of the apps triggered a positive response from the students, who were then stimulated to engage in active learning.
Content-specific applications provide easy access to textual information and three-dimensional representations of anatomical structures such as the heart.
We have published the results of this study (Ostrin and Dushenkov, 2016). Going forward, we plan on extending our research to explore the effectiveness of virtual microscopy—online high-resolution histology images—as a replacement for the traditional micro-scope and glass slides (Ostrin and Dushenkov 2017).
Publications
- Ostrin, Z. and V. Dushenkov (2016). “The pedagogical value of mobile devices and content-specific application software in the A&P laboratory.” HAPS Educator 20(4): 97-103. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/ho_pubs/47/
- Ostrin, Z. and V. Dushenkov (2017). “Pulling the Plug on Microscopes in the Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory.” HAPS Educator 21(2): 112-118. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1062&context=ho_pubs
