Optimising the A&P Course: Strategies for Student Engagement and Effective Assessment

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Selwa Alsam oversees around 100 students annually on the Biomedical Science course, which uses Mastering A&P with the instructor’s diverse teaching methods and real-life examples to enhance student engagement and understanding, with quizzes reducing preparation time and improving feedback on comprehension. 

 

As the director of the Biomedical Science course, Selwa Alsam manages approximately 100 students each year, accumulating to around 300 across the three-year programme. Students can choose between NHS placements, industrial placements, a year abroad, or continuing the three-year course after their second year. The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science and the NHS pathway is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. The curriculum includes eight modules in the first year, with Anatomy and Physiology (BS161) being essential for accreditation. The final year features a significant project worth 45 credits and four additional modules. The course includes 33% coursework and a 67% final exam, with feedback indicating high student satisfaction.

The course aims to maximise student understanding by recognising diverse learning preferences. Some students favour text-based learning, others prefer practical experiences, and some thrive on interactive methods. To address these varied preferences, the course employs multiple-choice questions and case studies to assess understanding. Feedback highlighted that the initial volume of information was overwhelming, particularly in the first years. In response, Selwa reduced the content while ensuring it met accreditation requirements. This adjustment has been well-received, and students no longer express concerns about content overload.

Real-life examples are integral to making the material more relatable and engaging. By incorporating practical, real-world examples, particularly in Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Microbiology, students find the content more engaging than theoretical discussions alone. Encouraging students to share their own experiences further enriches their learning. Additionally, model quizzes contribute to their overall mark, with 33% coming from coursework, including practicals. Deadlines are managed by publishing on Moodle and advising students to note these in their diaries. The coordination with the Director of Education ensures that students are not overwhelmed with deadlines, making the system effective and responsive to feedback.

The use of model quizzes and smaller quizzes has significantly reduced preparation time for lectures and exam questions. This efficiency allows for the provision of extra practice questions and the use of multiple-choice questions to assess understanding after each lecture. Feedback from students has been positive, particularly regarding their enhanced comprehension of complex topics. The Pearson digital solution specialist supports by explaining the system to students, further aiding in the effective delivery of content. Presenting information in multiple formats caters to diverse learning styles and enhances overall understanding.

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