Describes the introduction of problem-based learning experiences into the curriculum of the title program and discusses results of evaluation, which indicated mostly positive reactions to problem-based learning. (EV)

All first-year students who entered the University of Missouri-Columbia as animal science majors between the fall of 1998 and 2004 (n = 619) had the opportunity to participate in a residentially-based Freshmen Interest Group (FIG) and/or a learning community specifically designed for them. The odds of graduating is significant for all three…

A comparative study was conducted to examine the effects of distance delivery on student performance in a science course. Academic outcomes and interactions were compared among students (n=44) enrolled in two sections of an upper level histology course taught over the course of a single semester by the same instructor. Eleven students took the…

Describes a symposium on "Population Health Education" held at the University of California Davis on May 9-11, 2002. Its objectives were to assess the market needs and opportunities presented by the users of population medicine veterinarians, determine the degree to which veterinary colleges are producing professionals who meet these needs,…

Surveyed colleges of veterinary medicine to assess their international activities. Found that 86 percent have international veterinary medicine (IVM) programs and most have faculty involved in internationally oriented research, in teaching IVM, in mentoring students in IVM, and in international consultancies. Foreign animal diseases are the most…

Collected Kolb Learning Style Inventory data from veterinary medical students upon matriculation and 13-14 years later and compared the data with transcript and career data. Found that students have diverse learning styles that do not appear to influence completion of the curriculum or future professional activities. (EV)

Describes the results of the use of computer-based tutorials to teach the pathology of the cardiovascular system in a veterinary school in the United Kingdom. Concludes that the combined worksheet and computer based learning format is suitable for teaching veterinary pathology. (LRW)

Describes the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine's use of outcomes assessment (OA) as part of the accreditation review process for the American Veterinary Medical Association. Discusses its nine OA survey instruments and use of resulting data during accreditation. (EV)

A study was made of student note-taking during lectures, and especially the use of diagrams, and subsequent use of the notes for examinations. It was found that important information is often omitted from notes and some students do not make diagrams. Handouts did not improve test performance, although they helped in drawing diagrams. (MSE)

Analysis of objective admission criteria and first-year performance of veterinary students from preveterinary institutions of varying selectivity revealed that cumulative and required course GPAs, GRE Biology scores, and grades in biochemistry and physics appear to be good predictors of first-year academic performance regardless of selectivity of…

Draws from a self-analysis of teaching practices by an award-winning professor to present a personal philosophy of teaching and impressions of the student experience. Discusses ideas about the package of material that should be delivered to students, how that package should be delivered, and some special tools to aid delivery. (EV)

The educational philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead is briefly outlined and its principles applied to the structure and development of curriculum for veterinary education. Selecting learning experiences to meet Whitehead's educational aims is discussed, and the problem of integrating literary, scientific, and technical components is noted. (MSE)

The use of case histories to test a student's knowledge of the previous weeks' dissection in gross anatomy class is discussed. The test is seen as a way to integrate other basic sciences. An example of this type of test is provided. (MLW)

Lists by state and province the current continuing veterinary medical education (CVME) requirements in the United States and Canada and provides additional analysis and comment on CVME requirements. (EV)

Discussion of hypertext for computer-assisted instruction highlights SINS (Semistructured Intelligent Navigation System), a hypertext system that addresses and solves navigation problems common to hypertext environments. The semantic search mechanism of SINS is explained, and SINS is compared with HyperCard using searches performed by veterinary…