PROGRESS AND PITFALLS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRE-LAB PREPARATORY EXERCISES

Frances A. Kennedy, D.V.M., M.S.*, Wendy L. Lackey, M.A., Connie E. Osborn, Ph.D., Gail A. Shafer-Crane, Ph.D., Robert B. Stephenson, Ph.D., Departments of Anatomy/Radiology and Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824  U.S.A.

Purpose

To encourage student preparation for histology laboratory, a series of pre-lab exercises, with points awarded, was instituted. This project describes the advantages and pitfalls of using computer-based pre-lab exercises, and describes possible modifications suggested by student responses.

Methods

"Learning Online Network with Computer-assisted Personalized Approach" (LON-CAPA), developed at Michigan State University, was used to deliver questions to students in preparation for each laboratory session. The intent was to necessitate the students’ use of course material, particularly their textbook, to answer questions pertaining to upcoming laboratory objectives. Students were offered a small point reward to encourage successful completion of the exercises. 

Results

Observation over one semester indicated that, although there was improvement over previous years’ results, we did not find convincing numbers of students thoroughly preparing for each laboratory session.  Personal communication indicated that many students simply shared answers rather than using the exercises as learning tools.

Conclusion

We feel that the prospect of losing course points deflected student focus from the faculty’s intent for these exercises, which was to introduce laboratory content. This reduced the efficacy of this method as a pre-lab tool.

Future Directions
The authors will administer a student survey to determine the percentage of individuals who did pre-lab, and what tools they found most effective in this effort.  This survey will correlate each individual’s perceived learning style with their preferred methods of preparation. Our goal remains the development of effective pre-lab preparatory tools to address the needs of a diverse student population.