UPTLC 2024

.Skeletal muscle physiology is often taught through didactic lectures with limited practical hands-on sessions. It can be challenging for students to visualize and understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of contraction as represented in textbooks. Thus, active learning strategies are warranted to further enhance students’ understanding [1]. This study aimed to identify and summarize active learning techniques for teaching skeletal muscle contraction. We performed a literature search on the “Advances in Physiology Education” website using these keywords: "teaching," "models," and “skeletal muscle contraction.” Our search identified 21 articles published in English between 1998-present that used a wide variety of techniques for teaching skeletal muscle contraction. From the 21 articles identified, the primary teaching strategies consisted of physical models (n=9), laboratory activities (n=6), skits (n=3), games (n=2), and computer simulations (n=2). The majority of articles reported using these strategies among undergraduate students (n=19) with some use among graduate students (n=3) and high school/community college students (n=2) as well. Regarding the disciplines of application, nearly all of the articles reported their use in teaching exercise science (n=12) and anatomy and physiology (n=8). Survey data collected after these activities revealed that students perceived that they were 1) more interested and actively engaged in the learning process (n=10) and 2) acquired a better understanding of concepts and were more satisfied with the classroom experience (n=3). In conclusion, various active learning techniques for teaching skeletal muscle contraction exist and may help educators reinforce and extend their lecture material to further enhance student engagement, learning, and satisfaction.
1. Kilgas & Elmer, (2017). Advances in Physiology Education, 41(1): 120-9.