Using web-based animations to teach histology.

Full Abstract

We have been experimenting with the use of animations to teach histology as part of an interactive multimedia program we are developing to replace the traditional lecture/laboratory-based histology course in our medical and dental curricula. This program, called HistoQuest, uses animations to illustrate basic histologic principles, explain dynamic processes, integrate histologic structure with physiological function, and assist students in forming mental models with which to organize and integrate new information into their learning. With this article, we first briefly discuss the theory of mental modeling, principles of visual presentation, and how mental modeling and visual presentation can be integrated to create effective animations. We then discuss the major Web-based animation technologies that are currently available and their suitability for different visual styles and navigational structures. Finally, we describe the process we use to produce animations for our program. The approach described in this study can be used by other developers to create animations for delivery over the Internet for the teaching of histology.

Author information

Author/s: Brisbourne, Marc A S (MA); Chin, Susan S-L (SS); Melnyk, Erica (E); Begg, David A (DA);

Affiliation: Division of Anatomy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. mbrisbou(-atsign-)med.ualberta.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: The Anatomical record (Anat Rec), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Feb; vol 269 (issue 1) : pp 11-9

Dates: Created 2002/03/13; Completed 2002/05/30; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11891621, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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