Comparison of the cost-effectiveness of a computer-assisted learning program with a tutored demonstration to teach intestinal motility to medical students

The computer-assisted learning program Intestinal Motility was produced to help preclinical medical students to understand the variety of ways in which drugs or endogenous mediators can alter intestinal muscle movements and thereby influence propulsion of luminal contents. It simulates experiments actually carried out on a rat colon preparation, but the principles apply equally well to the small intestine and to the stomach and oesophagus of rat or other species. It can be used alone as a learning aid or can be used to support practical class teaching.DOI:10.1080/0968776950030119

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An Interactive Computer Simulation of Experiments to Teach the Principles of Nutrient Transport in the Small Intestine

Alternatives to Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1177/026119299202000405 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 529-535

Author(s):

David Dewhurst ◽

Jacqueline Hardcastle ◽

Peter Hardcastle ◽

Alan Williams

Keyword(s):

Computer Simulation ◽

Small Intestine ◽

Nutrient Transport ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Rat Small Intestine ◽

Learning Program ◽

Computer Assisted Learning

An interactive computer-assisted learning program to teach, by investigation, the characteristics of transport of nutrients by the rat small intestine, is described.

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The Finkleman Preparation: A Computer Simulation for Teaching Undergraduate Students of Pharmacology

Alternatives to Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1177/026119299402200615 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 474-480

Author(s):

David Dewhurst ◽

Ian Hughes ◽

Richard Ullyott

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Learning Objectives ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Learning Program ◽

Computer Assisted Learning ◽

Sympathetic Nerve Stimulation ◽

Chart Recorder ◽

Experimental Protocols ◽

Evoked Contractions

An interactive computer-assisted learning program is described, which simulates a number of experiments which can be performed on the isolated, innervated duodenum of the rabbit (the Finkleman preparation). This preparation is one of the classical pharmacological preparations used to demonstrate to undergraduate students the effects of selected drugs: those acting on adrenoceptors or intestinal smooth muscle, or those affecting responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. The program runs on any IBM compatible PC, and makes use of text and high resolution graphics to provide a background to the experiments and to describe the methodology. A screen display which emulates a chart recorder presents simulated results (spontaneous or evoked contractions of the gut), derived from actual data, in response to the selection by students of predetermined experimental protocols from a menu. The program is designed to enhance or replace the traditional laboratory-based practical using this preparation, whilst achieving the majority of the same teaching and learning objectives.

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