Picture This: Indiana University School of Medicine Adds a Visual Touch to Dermatology Classroom

INDIANAPOLIS -- As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words and Indiana University School of Medicine students are echoing that sentiment -- thanks to the efforts of a far-sighted, computer-savvy faculty member.

One of the challenges of teaching the classroom portion of dermatology to second-year medical students is teaching them to recognize skin conditions and diseases. The students need to see quality images of diseases and conditions, but the cost of producing enough photographs of each is prohibitive. Photocopies are not as precisely detailed.

With that in mind, Antoinette F. Hood, M.D., professor of dermatology and of pathology and laboratory medicine, put on her thinking cap and decided to utilize the benefits of modern technology. In so doing, Dr. Hood believes she has developed a comprehensive and unique teaching tool.

In 1997, Dr. Hood had students assist her with the creation of a compact disk with 100 photos of skin conditions and diseases. It was intended as a teaching tool, but there were some limitations, such as an inability to track which students were using the CD. That’s when she became aware of a new computer program, WebCT.

Using the images already created for the CD plus others from various sources available in teaching collections and on the Internet, Dr. Hood was able to expand the project into an interactive, on-line teaching tool with restricted access. The restricted access allowed her to link her program with high-quality images already on the World Wide Web. All students need to access the program is a computer and a password.

Access to photos and written lectures are not the only advantage to the teaching tool. Quizzes and tests can be administered after students review the on-line information. They also can study the information at their own convenience and as many times as necessary. In other words, the classroom is always open to them, day or night, 24-hours a day.

The program also gave Dr. Hood the flexibility of tracking how many students are using the teaching tool and, best of all, grade the on-line tests for her. Since the final examination is an open book test, the students can take it at their convenience, which is a definite plus for medical students who have many demands on their time. Students also can test their comprehension of the subject with on-line quizzes before tests are administered.

Of course, there still are in-class lectures and other assignments, but Dr. Hood is optimistic she has discovered a gem of a way to help students grasp the complex world of dermatology. And, apparently her students agree. A survey of the first class exposed to the new on-line teaching tool showed rousing approval with 95 percent recommending that other courses provide materials on the Internet.

Contact: Mary Hardin
317-274-7722
mhardin@iupui.edu

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