Model Making, An Interesting Method of Learning Anatomy: Students’ perceptions

ABSTRACT

Background: The knowledge of anatomy is very essential for the safe and efficient clinical practice. There has been a lot of efforts, made over recent years to promote active learning in students through innovative teaching techniques. Model making is one such type of active and self directed learning. The aim of the study is to introduce model making as a technique of learning Anatomy.The objective was to evaluate the students’ perceptions about various aspects of model making, as a technique of learning anatomy Material and Methods: Convenient sample of one hundred first year MBBS students were divided into four groups for different model making activities. Each group of twenty five was divided into six and nineteen. Group of nineteen did the routine dissection and the other of six did the model of structures under the cover of gluteus maximus, parotid gland, cavernous sinus with its relations or perineal pouches at various time intervals. Anonymous feedback was taken from students through a questionnaire using a Likert five-point grading scale. The number and percentage of students responding to each item was noted. The mean rating for each item was calculated. Results: A majority of students were positive about the use of model making in anatomy.94%, 93%, and 91% of the students felt that model making was useful in learning anatomy,should be used for teaching other topics also and helped in long term memory respectively. Conclusion: Students perceived that model making when used along with dissection would promote meaningful learning and deep understanding of anatomy.