Motivating Students to Engage in Preparation for Flipped Classrooms by Using Embedded Quizzes in Pre-class Videos

Animated PowerPoint Videos: An Underutilized Anatomy Educational Tool?

The subject of anatomy is an integral component of medical and dental education which are constantly evolving. Hence, educators continuously attempt to take advantage of technological advancements to create resources that will improve students' higher cognitive skills. This article describes the creation of an e-learning resource in the form of an animated PowerPoint video that was designed based on evidence-based principles and educational theories to introduce the concept of tooth anatomy. Additionally, it outlines how this resource can be potentially integrated into a broader educational system as well as encourage anatomy and medical educators to use less complex technological equipment to create accessible educational resources.

Neurosurgery Lectures Benefit from a Flipped Class Approach

BACKGROUND

In a flipped classroom, students learn lecture material before class then participate in active learning during in-person sessions. This study examines preferences for flipped classroom activities during a neurosurgery presentation on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

METHODS

225 third- and fourth-year medical students on their core Neurology rotation watched an online podcast about TBI before meeting for in-person, active learning activities with a neurological surgeon. Before and after the class, students were given rank-based surveys with an optional section for comments. The initial survey assessed preference for specific active learning activities, and the final survey assessed satisfaction with the experience. The students also answered an online 20-question post-lecture test as part of the standard Neurology class assessment.

RESULTS

Every student scored over 90% on the post-lecture test. Of the 81 students who answered the first survey, most students (83.95%) strongly preferred or preferred case scenarios with group discussion. The average Likert score for case scenario preference (4.37/5) was significantly higher than the score for all other activities (p < 0.05). Of the 207 students who answered the second survey, 80.19% of students reported that they would probably or definitely like to see more flipped classroom activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical students highly preferred case scenarios because, according to their comments, this method was relevant to real-life situations and led to higher information retention. This information suggests that the flipped classroom model for neurosurgical based lectures is preferred, beneficial, and should incorporate case scenarios. This methodology may also apply to neurosurgical residency training.