Method

1. Exploring the use of structured handouts to create an active-learning environment in pathologyDarshana Shah, Ph.D. & Brian Dzwonek, Ed.DDepartment of Anatomy and Pathology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University Huntington , WV. Results Method Background Handouts have become an integral component of the lecture in undergraduate medical education. Handouts influence both the way students take notes during a lecture and how they use the notes after the lecture. One popular lecture technique is to provide worksheets that prompt students to take notes. Even minimal gestures such as this engage students, providing students with an opportunity to do something beyond listening. Research indicates that adult learners prefer to be engaged in their learning—not by just listening, but by doing. A well-developed handout augments the lecture and enhances both interest and student learning in the topic. Structured handouts provide a clear framework for the content of the presentation, based on the objectives of the lecture. One goal of the structured handout is to engage students in the lecture. Students are encouraged to complete the notes in their own words. Handouts provide the intricate figures, key concepts, and terminology, but they do not provide complete documentation of the topic. Brief summary of the key concepts, was provided as pre-class reading assignment, to students prior to the scheduled lecture. Students were also encouraged to preview the concepts in the required pathology text. Structured handouts were distributed during the lecture. Feedback on the handout was collected through an anonymous survey, from which comments were qualitatively analyzed. Learning was assessed and measured through an in-class multiple-choice quiz, where students had to write a brief explanation for each answer they selected. • Examples: Student’s comments • “The structured handouts were helpful--putting things in my own words and actively writing down the material helped me to retain it. The practice questions were also extremely helpful” • “The structured handout is fantastic” • “I find the structured handout helpful in organizing the lecture” Goal This study was undertaken to see whether structured handouts can be formulated to create an environment for active learning. Conclusion Reference Active learning uses planned activities to engage the students as partners in learning. As these preliminary results indicate, the effective use of structured handouts can enhance student participation in educational activities. . Handouts in the Classroom: Is Note Taking a Lost Skill?GayleA. Brazeau,PhD. Am J Pharm Educ. 2006 April 15; 70(2): 38.