An Interactive Computer Program to Replace in Vivo Experiments on Rat Blood Pressure for Teaching Undergraduate Students

Abstract

An interactive computer program is described, which presents simulated data for a range of tutor-designed, structured investigations performed in vivo in the anaesthetised rat. It is aimed at undergraduate students of pharmacology, and is designed to teach various aspects of cardiovascular pharmacology and to provide an alternative to performing the practical procedure on live animals. In addition to providing simulated data, the program covers several other aspects related to the live practical, for example, UK Home Office Licence requirements, anaesthesia of the animals, cannulation procedures and the apparatus used. It also contains suggested student tasks for each experiment, making it suitable for independent learning. The program is written for IBM-compatible PCs running Windows”’ and makes use of several features to enhance interactivity and presentation, i.e. high-resolution colour graphics, animation, interactive questions (multiple choice, drag and drop, True/False), problem-solving exercises and simulations. It has been evaluated with final year BSc (Hons) Pharmacology students at one UK university, where is was used to prepare students for the live animal practical. The results of this small study were largely favourable.

Keywords

blood pressure computer assisted learning (CAL)computer simulation interactive program pharmacology teaching

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Brown

G.J.

, Collins

G.G.S.

, Dewhurst

D.G.

, and Hughes

I.E.

(1988). Computer simulations in teaching neuromuscular pharmacology: time for a change from traditional methods? ATLA 16, 163–174.

Clarke

K.A.

(1987). The use of microcomputer simulations in undergraduate neurophysiology experiments. ATLA 14, 134–140.

Clarke

K.A.

(1988). Microcomputer simulations of mechanical properties of skeletal muscle for undergraduate classes. ATLA 15, 183–187.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, Brown

G.J.

, and Meehan

A.S.

(1988). Microcomputer simulations of laboratory experiments in physiology. ATLA 15, 280–289.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, Hardcastle

, and Williams

(1992). An interactive computer simulation of experiments to teach the principles of nutrient transport in the small intestine. ATLA 20, 529–535.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, Hughes

I.E.

, and Ullyott

R.T.

(1994). The Finkleman Preparation: a computer simulation for teaching undergraduate students of pharmacology. ATLA 22, 474–480.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, and Howells

(1990). A computer simulation of the cat nictitating membrane preparation (in vivo) for teaching undergraduate pharmacology students. ATLA 17, 291–300.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, Leathard

H.L.

, and Ullyott

R.T.

(1996). Intestinal motility: a computer simulation of the effects of drugs on colonic peristalsis for teaching undergraduate students. ATLA 24, 11–19.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, and Ullyott

R.T.

(1991). Computer simulated demonstration of the action of drugs on the isolated perfused mammalian heart. ATLA 19, 316–322.

10.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, and Williams

A.D.

(1993). Frog skin: a computer simulation of experiments performed on frog skin in vitro to investigate the epithelial transport of ions. ATLA 21, 350–358.

11.

Hughes

I.E.

(1984). The use of computers to simulate animal preparations in the teaching of practical pharmacology. ATLA 11, 204–213.

12.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, and Jenkinson

(1995). The impact of computer-based alternatives on the use of animals in undergraduate teaching. ATLA 23, 521–530.

13.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, Hughes

I.E.

, and Williams

A.D.

(1996). A computer simulation to demonstrate the effects of pharmacological agents or procedures on blood pressure and heart rate of the anaesthetized rat (in vivo). British Journal of Pharmacology, Proceedings Supplement 117, 344 pp.

14.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, and Meehan

A.S.

(1993). Evaluation of the use of computer simulations of experiments in teaching undergraduate students. British Journal of Pharmacology, Proceedings Supplement 108, 238 pp.

15.

Dewhurst

D.G.

, Hardcastle

P.T.

, and Stuart

(1994). Comparison of a computer simulation program with a traditional laboratory practical class for teaching the principles of intestinal absorption. American Journal of Physiology: Advances in Physiology Education 12, S95–S103.

16.

Fawver

A.L.

, Branch

C.E.

, Trentham

, Robertson

B.T.

, and Beckett

S.D.

(1990). A comparison of interactive videodisc instruction with live animal laboratories. American Journal of Physiology: Advances in Physiology Education 259, S11–S14.

17.

Leathard

H.L.

, and Dewhurst

D.G.

(1995). Comparison of the cost-effectiveness of a computer-assisted learning program with a tutored demonstration to teach intestinal motility to medical students. Association for Learning Technology Journal 3, 118–125.