What we are reading

"Concept mapping enhances learning of biochemistry," by Krishna Surapaneni and Ara Tekian. This randomized trial using concept mapping compared to traditional lecture-based teaching in a medical school biochemistry class demonstrated significantly better test scores and deeper understanding of the basic concepts of biochemistry among students taught using concept maps.

"Assessment of higher order cognitive skills in undergraduate medical education: modified essay or multiple choice questions?," by EJ Palmer and PG Devitt, BMC Medical Education 2007; 7:49. 

What we are using

"Twelve tips for teaching with concept maps in medical education," by Dario Torre, Steven Durning and Barbara Daley. See simple ideas for using concept maps to help students learn and to identify their learning gaps.

"Writing multiple choice questions for higher order thinking," by Connie Malamed, from the e-learning coach. Learn three strategies in a nutshell to create questions that go beyond memorizing and recalling facts and data.

What we are writing

"Teachers as learners: developing professionalism feedback skills via observed structured teaching encounters," by Constance Tucker, et al. In this paper from OHSU's vice provost of educational improvement and innovation, observed standardized teaching experiences (OSTEs) were used to both teach and evaluate professionalism in fourth year medical students who role-modeled being resident teachers.

An innovative approach to avoid reinventing the wheel: The anesthesia education toolbox, by G. Woodworth, A. Miller Juve, C. Swide and R. Maniker; Journal of Graduate Medical Education 2015; 7(2): 270-271. This report from our own Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine describes the project they coordinated with five other institutions to develop and evaluate a robust set of shared learning materials for resident education. The toolbox is now being used by more than 30 anesthesiology residency programs nationwide.

More

The Science of Learning, by Erin Bonura, M.D.

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