This is the skeleton Benjamin (ben=bone in Swedish) that we use for the osteology studies. Since the medical terminology is built on greek and latin many of the students find the subject difficult. We try to use as many means as possible, such as this skeleton, drawing the muscles and palpating on each other to make it easier to understand.
Yes learning about this subject would be difficult particulalrly with all the Latin and Greek words. You sound as though you use a good variety of methods to teach about the subject. Is any one of these strategies more successful than others?
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the medical terminology. As teachers it comes so easily to us. It's easy to forget that it is not the same for everyone. Before I start anatomy and physiology subjects I spend some time on explaining to the students why it is so different & how we can break it down and relate similar words we use in everyday speech. Its great when you can see that it is "sinking in" and they come up with their own examples. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a good thing that these words often have similarities i our language, it's the same in Swedish since we use many English influenced words. Some of the tricks they use to remember the words are really funny... ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think one of most successful methods is "the skeleton game" that the students like. They take turns to pick a note from a box, saying for example "superior angle of scapula". The student points out the structure on the skeleton and the other students guess the name. Since everyone has to contribute it's also a great way for me to see who is having problems and who's not.
Jenniann what a great teaching strategy and it certainly involves everyone in a non threatening way. Donna has a great idea about relating the terminology to words in everyday language. I suppose learning anatomy and physiology is a bit like elarning a new lngauge and it is good if we remember this. I also liem the idea Jenniann that you use the activity to see who is having any problems. It is informal and the teacher can make some good observations. Do you use other ways to find out if the student needs help?
ReplyDeleteYes I do, both the formals ones as tests and so on, and I think I see a lot during palpation. When they are supposed to find the skeleton structures and muscles on each other it's very easy for me to see if they have understood.
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