Problem-based learning workshop held at CVM

The workshop was directed at faculty interested in active student-centered educational strategies in medicine or veterinary medicine. The workshop was jointly sponsored by Mississippi State and the American Animal Hospital Association as part of the AAHA regional faculty development program series.

Dr. Phil Bushby, academic program director, said about 20 human medical schools had instituted problem-based learning curricula, but only two veterinary schools have begun (this year) this educational method—Mississippi State and Cornell.

"Students in medical fields are exposed to such vast amounts of rapidly changing material that lecture-oriented instructional methods may no longer be adequate," Bushby said. "This new method provides a student with the skills needed for lifelong learning."

Initiated on campus this academic year, problem-based learning involves students working through simulated problems which are created by the faculty members.

The workshop included sessions introducing the philosophy of problem-based learning, examples of the tutorial process, and a case development experience. Sessions also included discussions on student evaluation, changing faculty roles, curricular planning, and curricular implementation for problem-based learning in a veterinary college.

In addition to local faculty members, four other universities were represented, including 11 faculty members from Iowa State and three from Tuskegee.