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Development of a synchronous online microscopic anatomy course using virtual microscopy
Author(s) -
Barbeau Michele,
Rogers Kem
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.825.5
Subject(s) - virtual microscopy , popularity , computer science , videoconferencing , multimedia , course (navigation) , class (philosophy) , suite , medical education , psychology , medicine , artificial intelligence , engineering , pathology , social psychology , archaeology , history , aerospace engineering
The use of virtual microscopy has become a well established and accepted tool for microscopic anatomy instruction. This tool has been tested for its educational effectiveness and it has shown to be as effective as traditional microscopes. The popularity of distance education (DE) courses continues to increase as more students become comfortable with this method of teaching and as more courses are offered. Using the Wimba Collaboration Suite videoconferencing software, we are combining the technologies of virtual microscopy with synchronous videoconferencing to create an online microscopic anatomy course. Our institution has offered a traditional comprehensive microscopic anatomy course for decades. This course includes both lectures and traditional laboratories using microscopes. With online technologies, it is possible to offer the same course, including the laboratory exercises, as a DE course. Synchronous online courses allow many of the benefits of face to face instruction where the instructor can ask questions to check for understanding or the class can have a discussion. The combination of technologies allows this course to be offered to a much wider audience, including participants that are unable to attend campus. Grant Funding Source : Not available