USE OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED TEACHING WITH ANIMAL SIMULATOR IN EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY FOR THE FIRST YEAR MBBS STUDENTS
Author: HITESH K. MODAK, LAXMIKANT J. BORSE
Category: Physiology
Abstract:
Background: Experimental physiology practicals are part of the syllabus for first year MBBS students. Amphibian heart and nerve-muscle experiments help the students to understand the concepts of physiology. Use of live animal is banned while training first MBBS students. So, there is a need for an alternative method to teach experimental physi- ology practicals as they are still a part of the syllabus.
Aims and Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of com- puter-assisted teaching method using animal simulator with the traditional method of teaching in experimental physiol- ogy and to know the perception of students about the computer-assisted teaching method using the animal simulator.
Materials and Methods: The study included 60 first year MBBS students, randomly divided into Group I and Group II of 30 students each. One practical class for the Group I students was conducted using animal stimulator for practicals in experimental physiology by Elsevier (computer-assisted teaching method), and Group II was taught same practical topic using traditional teaching method (using university practical manual). After completion of the practical session, a questionnaire about computer-assisted teaching method was given to the students of Group I and their responses were obtained. After 2 weeks, a multiple choice questions test of all the participants based on the same practical topic was conducted, and test score obtained was compared between Group I and II using GraphPad InStat Version 3.06 software.
Statistical Analysis: Student’s unpaired t-test was applied for statistical analysis. The outcomes were presented as a mean (standard deviation), and P < 0.05 was considered as significant. The perception of students toward the use of computer-assisted teaching using animal simulator was analyzed on Likert scale. Results and Conclusion: Students taught by computer-assisted teaching method using animal simulator scored significantly higher than the students who were taught by a conventional method. Students taught by computer-assisted teaching method showed the better per- ception for the teaching method. Our study concluded that the use of the computer-assisted teaching of animal experi- ments using animal stimulator is more effective than the traditional method and should be encouraged for teaching practicals in experimental physiology for first year MBBS students.
Keywords: Animal simulator, Computer-assisted teaching, Experimental physiology, First year MBBS students, Perception of students