A visual thinking strategy enhances an undergraduate human physiology course offered by a Peruvian Pharmacy and Biochemistry School

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2022.221.647653

Keywords:

Evaluation, Kinesthetic, Physiology, Teaching, Visual thinking

Abstract

Background: This study focuses on enhancing student success in an undergraduate human physiology course offered by the Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry at the National University of Trujillo (UNT), Peru. This study was motivated by a retrospective view of student performance during the academic years 2008 to 2016, in which only a low percentage of students were able to successfully pass the course.

Method: In 2017, a questionnaire on visual-auditory-kinesthetic learning styles (VAK) revealed that the predominant learning style among students was visual-auditory. Thus, a Visual Thinking student-centred learning strategy was tested and implemented.

Results: A noticeable improvement in student success, class participation, and student engagement were observed and linked to the novel learning system adopted. Also, Visual Thinking allowed students to engage in activities that make visible the processes of their creative thinking by laying their ideas graphically, rather than merely showing the conclusions of their thinking.

Author Biographies

Carmen Marín Tello, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Perú

Professor of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology & Head of Laboratory for Nutritional Metabolism and Physiology research, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry

Ana María Guevara Vásquez, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Perú

Professor of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology & Member of Laboratory for Nutritional Metabolism and Physiology research, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry

Luisa Amaya-Lau, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Perú

Professor of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology

Yasseli Rafael-Manosalva, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Perú

Student of Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry

Haydée Villafana-Medina, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Perú

Professor and member of Laboratory for Nutritional Metabolism and Physiology research, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry

Jorge Vásquez Kool, Meredith College, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Professor and member of Laboratory for Nutritional Metabolism and Physiology research

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Published

28-06-2022

How to Cite

Marín Tello, C., Guevara-Vásquez, A. M., Amaya-Lau, L., Rafael-Manosalva, Y., Villafana-Medina, H., & Vásquez-Kool, J. (2022). A visual thinking strategy enhances an undergraduate human physiology course offered by a Peruvian Pharmacy and Biochemistry School . Pharmacy Education, 22(1), p. 647–653. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2022.221.647653

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Section

Research Article