Stone, Danya, Longhurst, Georga J, Dulohery, Kate, Campbell, Thomas, Richards, Annalise, O'Brien, Dominic, Franchi, Thomas, Hall, Samuel and Border, Scott (2022) A multicentre analysis of approaches to learning and student experiences of learning anatomy online. Medical Science Educator, 32. pp. 1117-1130. ISSN 2156-8650

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Abstract

Introduction: The approaches to learning students adopt when learning anatomy online could yield important lessons for educators. Dissection room teaching can encourage students to adopt a deep approach to learning anatomy. It was therefore hypothesized that the proportion of students adopting a deep approach to learning would be lower in a population learning anatomy online. This research aims to investigate the experiences of students learning anatomy online during the COVID-19 pandemic and the approaches to learning they adopted.

Methods: A survey was distributed to medical students at 7 universities across the UK and Ireland. The survey included two previously validated questionnaires: Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students and Anatomy Learning Experience Questionnaire.

Results: The analysis included 224 unique student responses. Students’ approach to learning mirrored reports from previous studies conducted during face-to-face tuition with 44.3% adopting deep, 40.7% strategic, 11.4% surface, and 3.6% combined learning approaches. The university (p = 0.019) and changes to formative (p = 0.016) and summative (p = 0.009) assessments significantly impacted approach to learning. Students reported that online resources were effective but highlighted the need for clearer guidance on how to find and use them successfully.

Conclusion: It is important to highlight that students value in-person opportunities to learn from human cadaveric material and hence dissection room sessions should remain at the forefront of anatomical education. It is recommended that future online and/or blended provisions of anatomy teaching include varied resources that maximize engagement with media featuring cadaveric specimens.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Anatomy education, Approach to learning, Blended learning, COVID-19, Distance learning, Remote learning
Schools and Departments:	Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Division of Medical Education
SWORD Depositor:	Mx Elements Account
Depositing User:	Mx Elements Account
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2022 12:31
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2022 12:45
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/108952

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