Prof-in-a-Box: using internet-videoconferencing to assist students in the gross anatomy laboratory
2006

Using Video Conferencing to Help Anatomy Students

Sample size: 60 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Stephen J Moorman

Primary Institution: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Hypothesis

Can distance-learning technologies effectively assist students in a dissection laboratory setting?

Conclusion

The PiB system allows faculty to assist students in gross anatomy labs from a distance, suggesting a viable alternative for instruction when faculty are not physically present.

Supporting Evidence

  • 60 students out of 160 enrolled used the PiB system during the semester.
  • Students reported high enthusiasm for the PiB system and wanted its use expanded.
  • 30 anatomical structures were confirmed and identified using the PiB system.

Takeaway

The Prof-in-a-Box system helps students learn anatomy by allowing a teacher to assist them from far away using video technology.

Methodology

The study involved setting up a video conferencing system in a dissection lab to allow remote assistance from a faculty member.

Limitations

Less than a third of the students used the PiB system, and the effectiveness may vary based on the quality of the dissection.

Participant Demographics

60 students from a gross anatomy course participated in the study.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6920-6-55

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