Organ system of learning?????

[dizcsgt]

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Hey,
I am a senior applying to medical school and had a question about how things work....so presto! I figure you guys shud know the best coz u are in it!!! My question was about "organ based system" of learning.. where supposedly you study everything about one particular organ (rite??) and this differs from subject learning where u study about ...for example the whole anatomy stuff. What are the advantages of the organ based system?? why do some schools have it and some dont??? Is there anything good u find about it?? Also how are PBLs helpful???? lotta questions.. but anything would really help rite now! thanx a bunch!

 

[Bokomaru]

Hi,

My school has an organ based learning system. Basically the year is divided into blocks. Like we'd do 4-5 weeks on all things neuro. We study the anatomy, the physiology, the embryology, etc. of the nervous system. And we get one test on everything in that block. The same goes for the next section, which is Heart lungs and kidney, and the third section which is digestive, reproductive, and endocrine systems.

This is in contrasts to schools that go with a traditional system. (Though most schools now sit in between). Traditionally, schools have separate classes for these things. Like there was an anatomy class, with a test, and a physiology class with a test, and embryology class with a test, etc.

I can't tell you much about the traditional way, but I can tell you the pro/con of the organ-based way. The good thing is that things are coordinated in a way to back each other up. Like knowing the embryology can help you remember the anatomy. Or the structure in anatomy and go hand-in-hand with physiology. And you don't have to worry if one class is on the anatomy of the heart, but in physiology, ou are learning about the lungs.

The bad thing (for me) is the tests. It is like taking four finals at once for some tests, since there is only one test for everything. And everything is about one aspect of the body, it can be monotonous and grinding if you don't enjoy it. And once every so often, a random lecture cannot be rightfully coordinated, so it sticks out like a sore thumb, and students tend to blow it off and it wastes everyone's time.

I hope this helps

 

[Bokomaru]

I forgot about PBLs. My school also has them and they are very big on them. I am somewhat ambivalent about them. (They are sessions where the students go find out and learn aspects of a problem and teach other students.) If the students are cool and the instructor is cool, it is soooooo helpful. If either are not cool, then it could be a waste of time. Some instructors can be oblivious or tyrants. Some students can just sit and not say anything or try to dominate and show off how smart they are. A mixed bag in my opinion.

 

[dizcsgt]

thats awesome thanx man!