The Center for Learning Advancement in the Structural Sciences (CLASS) program was primarily conceived to serve as an incubator to enhance anatomical content knowledge possessed by elementary and secondary school teachers. Specifically, program participants will have the opportunity to apply their expanded sphere of anatomical knowledge in the context of health promotion and wellness and to develop technology-enabled learning products (e.g., CDs, DVDs and videotapes) that can be ported to their own classrooms for student learning.
A typical instructional day will begin in the morning with a lecture to introduce the learners to the content for the day followed by kinesthetic learning experiences vis-á-vis cadaveric dissections. In the afternoon, participants will engage in case-based learning or small group discussions to translate human anatomy into a clinical realm of health promotion and wellness. Hands-on sessions will also be provided in the afternoon to acquaint participants with the wide array of technological services that are available in the University’s state-of-the-art teaching learning technology center. These services plus poster creations and the anatomy department’s sky eye video camera system will afford each participant ample opportunity to generate grade-appropriate learning products to use in their own classrooms.
In summary, the CLASS program uniquely provides elementary and secondary teachers a summer enrichment experience in the anatomical sciences that allows them to apply newly acquired content knowledge to clinical relevance and to design and create technology-enabled learning products and posters that can be ported to their own classrooms to foster student learning. Ultimately, by building a stronger knowledge base in the anatomical sciences, teachers will be better prepared to attain improved student learning outcomes in partnership with their learners.
Objectives
At the conclusion of the program, the participant will be able to do the following:
- Describe the microscopic and gross structure of the gastrointestinal system.
- Explain how common disease states of gastrointestinal system lead to structural and physiological derangements.
- Apply anatomical and physiological knowledge of the gastrointestinal system in the context of health promotion and wellness.
- Design technology-enabled learning tools that can be ported to the participant’s classroom.
Continuing education credits
The University has applied for two hours of staff development credit from the Heartland Area Education Agency 11 (Department of Education, State of Iowa). The cost of these hours is covered by the cost of either program option.
Cost
The cost of the week-long program is $100. For those who desire two graduate credit hours from Des Moines University for successful completion of the program, CLASS costs $170. Please indicate your preference on the application form. Please do not send any money until you have been accepted into the program. Lunch each day is included in the cost.
Specific aims
The specific aims of the CLASS program are to:
- Expand the sphere of anatomical content knowledge possessed by each participant.
- Apply human anatomy in the context of health promotion and wellness.
- Develop technology-enabled learning products that participants can transfer to their own classrooms for student learning.
More information
If you would like more information please contact .