The Use of a Web-based Application in an Integrated Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry Course
Academic Year:
2015 - 2016 (June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016)
Funding Requested:
$10,000.00
Project Dates:
-
Applicant(s):
Overview of the Project:
A new course series introduced in 2011 at the College of Pharmacy integrates the pharmacology and medicinal chemistry courses, aligns topics with the therapeutics series and provides struggling students with in-class remediation. Assessment data show that the integration process is a success, however a few problems linger; a perceived heavy workload, students viewing the content as separate courses and having difficulty correlating the material to clinical applications and the lack of tools to further aid the remediation process. A new web-based application to address some of these concerns is the focus of this project. This application is based on an online textbook integrating the course content from both disciplines for each section of a topic. The online textbook will use an interactive learning environment, with a split screen; the first provides the information as text with links that are projected as interactive animations and media into the second window. Clinical case studies designed in a hierarchical model that allows students to review and modify their decisions based on outcomes will be included. The final component of the application are remedial tools tailored specifically for struggling students to help them address knowledge deficiencies. These tools allow students to pick their own learning path and provide an assessment at the end of each path for immediate feedback. The effectiveness of the web-based application will be assessed using surveys, focus groups and comparing students’ scores on course examinations prior to and after introducing the application and based on patterns of use.