Dr. Rarey reported on the voluntary change in the Anatomy course schedule to do based on principles the Curriculum Committee has endorsed. He presented a sample representative of a 1 week block of teaching where patient cases are presented, laboratories and discussion period.
Carmen Socarras of the fist year class took a poll from classmates on the issues discussed today. The results were that everyone was basically happy with the current structure of classes. They agreed it was a good decision and that repetition of course material made it work well. Also, they were pleased that independent study time was protected. When a problem arose, the faculty were responsive. Other student representatives from the first year class spoke out with positive feedback about the change.
Rooks: 25 hour rule in place and difficult to enforce; changes were invisible. No rules about structure (where things are in the course of the day). This has created blocks of time for students to study together.
Ben Stevens asked the students how effective quizzes are on feedback, and the students responded that they have been very effective and are learning from their mistakes and improving as they go along.
Some concerns raised were:
Dr. Rooks reported that Drs. Berns and Watson were very supportive of fewer lectures.
Dr. Rooks asked for motions.
Dr. Watson indicated that the change will begin when the current first year class begins their second year.
Dr. Normann indicated that this would be irresponsible to vote on this without knowing how this will impact the second year. What are the implications, and how will it impact the courses. To adopt as principle without seeing how it will impact as a principle is not a good way to proceed, in his opinion.
Rooks: a 27 hr week if used fully.
Dr. Harris mentioned that there will be adequate time to provide content necessary. It should only be an inconvenience to course directors as far as changing the presentation of material (not lectures).
Dr. Watson said that the Curriculum Committee has worked for years in developing the principles, goals, and objectives and that this motion is simply in keeping with those principles, goals and objectives and is not going to impact on the total number of hours.
Dr. Rooks reports that we will have this same debate no matter how much we studied the change. We want protected time for students; the impact will probably reduce the size of the course (pathology) and will probably be better. He is not convinced that coming up with models ahead of time makes sense because of that principle.
Definition: Contact hours: All time scheduled to present or evaluate course content. It includes lectures, required labs, small group teaching, required demonstrations and examinations. It excludes voluntary learning labs such as those used in neuroscience and student initiated review sessions.
Speak for or against motion:
Short notice in second semester of this academic year will necessitate exceptions for this year.
Dr. Meyer made a motion that we adopt Motion 1 for teaching students, to be implemented in August 99, starting with the class of 2002. Dr. Davidson seconded the motion. The majority carried and motion passed 17-1-2.
Dr. Watson reported that the Evaluation Subcommittee has already been told to do this.
The total number of lectures given in basic science courses on any given day will be no more than three. This change will be phased in over the next three years and will be completed by July 2001.
Rationale:
1. Lectures are overutilized as a teaching modality.
2. Limiting lectures encourages use of other teaching modalities such as small group teaching, computer assisted learning, standardized patients and patient simulators.
3. Limiting lectures encourages review of curriculum content as the medical science knowledge base continues to rapidly grow. 4. Limiting lectures encourages course directors to consider which teaching modality is best suited for which content.
Over the course of the next three years institute a policy to be effective in July 2001, that there can be no more than three lectures in an 8-12 noon basic science course time slot on any given day. An average lecture is three hours. No motion was acted on.