Virtual learning of the digestive system: an experience developing an undergraduate course

Abstract

Cell biology, histology and embryology are three core subjects which are taught early in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science curricula. Collectively, they provide an essential foundation for the subsequent acquisition of clinical knowledge in each discipline; while conversely, an inability to assimilate such knowledge can lead to high failure and dropout rates in the early years of these degrees. Teaching of these sciences has traditionally been delivered through classroom-based methods and can thus be limited by time and financial constraints. Increasingly, the availability of online resources and electronic learning or “e-learning”, is greatly facilitating this learning process while circumventing the need for expensive laboratory equipment (Goldberg, 2007; Silva Lópes, 2003). Using information and communication technology associated with distance education, we set out to produce an e-learning course dedicated to the digestive system, aiming to promote an integrated comprehension. To achieve this, we implemented an undergraduate teaching project at the faculties of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of the National University of Rio Cuarto and also within Medical Sciences of the National University of Cordoba. In this communication we describe our experience of using the Internet in a network of academic integration: virtual teaching of the digestive system as an integrated thematic unitof embryology, histology and cell biology.