Using Podcasting to Promote Learning of Neuroanatomy

Human Neuroanatomy is a difficult and challenging subject for advanced undergraduate level students as well as second year medical and dental students. We believe that Neuroanatomy is a ‘hands‐on’ visual subject and therefore would be easier to understand if didactic lectures were followed by visual examples. The huge cost in addition to the limited time and gross anatomy tissue available makes it difficult to support a gross anatomy component to undergraduate anatomy classes. We proposed to use video podcasting as a dynamic learning aid for corresponding Neuroanatomy lectures. They provide a real‐time 3D view of the human brain and spinal cord and associated structures from a variety of different angles which is vastly different from the limited 2D images in textbooks. Therefore in this summer project, 5 different video podcasts were created to accompany the lectures for Anatomy 401. The gross anatomy of the brain and spinal cord were explained as a whole and then sections of the brain were cut to show deep structures. The video was narrated and paused for labeling of the material for further ease of understanding. These podcasts will be used in the upcoming Anatomy 401 class starting in January, 2011 and the students will be encouraged to give feedback. Grant Funding Source : Undergraduate Summer Studentship in Medical Education