Medical Sciences

Prof. Valerie O'Loughlin

Embryology Animations

A550/A551 Human Gross Anatomy

Format: website

Instructional goals:
  • allow students to visualize complex processes that occur in three dimensions and over time
  • allow students to review materials outside of class
Human Gross Anatomy (A550-A551) is a challenging course for first year medical students and students find embryology particularly difficult to understand for a variety of reasons. Embryology explores dynamic processes as opposed to static structures. By their nature, embryology texts use static, 2-dimensional images to illustrate the dynamic developmental processes. It is difficult for a student to look at 2-dimensional image A and image B, and understand the development that took place for the changes to occur between image A and image B. In order to increase student comprehension of this subject, Dr. O'Loughlin has collaborated with Indiana University Graphics Services and other medical illustrators to create a series of computerized embryology animations. 
Cardiovascular Animation screen shot
The animations are created in Apple QuickTime and Macromedia Flash. TLTC staff members help place the animations on the web and are also involved in setting up the assessment component of the site. Before accessing a module, students are asked to take a short online pre-test in order to gauge their prior knowledge about the topic. After viewing an animation, students may take an online practice quiz (post-test). Finally, students have an oppportunity to fill out an anonymous online satisfaction survey and make any comments or suggestions.

 


updated 05/14/2004
comments: tltc@indiana.edu
copyright 1995-2004 the board of trustees of indiana university