Studies Database

Dewhurst D. Interactive, computer-based alternatives to using animals in university teaching. ALTEX. 2005;23(Special Issue):54-57

A number of studies have demonstrated that interactive, multimedia computer-based learning programs are effective in meeting many of the learning objectives of classes which use in animals university teaching. Here we describe a number of programs, developed over several years, which simulate animal preparations frequently used to teach pharmacology and physiology to undergraduate students (www.sheffbp.co.uk). They have been developed by experts in the field, usually to support their own teaching, and may be used in a variety of ways e.g. to support conventional practical class teaching, or for self-directed learning by students. The programs generate simulated tissue responses e.g. muscle contractions or nerve action potentials, either from actual experimental results or from predictive models. Responses are presented on the monitor screen, in a form comparable to that in the real experiment i.e. storage oscilloscope or scrolling chart recorder. Students are expected to simulate many of the tasks associated with practical class teaching such as determining experimental parameters, collecting data in much the same way as they would in the laboratory, data reporting and communication. They work, usually in small groups, at their own pace and most take readily to this form of teaching. In many cases the programs use text and high-quality graphics to describe the preparation, the apparatus, methods and the underlying physiology and/or pharmacology. Some contain self-assessment questions or student-centred tasks to test accuracy of data collection, data interpretation, knowledge of underlying principles etc. Examples from a number of programs are used to illustrate these features.

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