Teaching Anatomy through Design Thinking: A Reflective Experience

As a lecturer in Anatomy, I am always looking for innovative ways to engage my students and help them develop a deeper understanding of the subject. Recently, I assigned a team project to my students, tasking them with exploring the fascinating world of tissues using the Design Thinking Framework. The Design Thinking Framework is a problem-solving approach that encourages empathy, creativity, and experimentation. It involves five stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test.

The teams worked diligently on their projects, and the results were impressive. Team 1 explored the apical surfaces of tissues, creating a 3D model to demonstrate their structure and function. Team 2 investigated the arrangement of epithelial cells, creating a detailed diagram to illustrate their findings. Team 3 delved into the different types of epithelial cells, creating a comprehensive chart to categorize and describe each type. The other teams worked on various topics, including types of muscle tissues, loose and dense connective tissues, cartilage, embryonic tissue, blood, bone, and neurons.

The students presented their models to our Principal, Mrs. Sumathy Raja, who was impressed by their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The students confidently explained their models and answered questions from Mrs. Raja, demonstrating their understanding of the subject. I was proud to see my students showcase their work and receive feedback from our Principal. The presentation was a great opportunity for the students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and it added an extra layer of excitement and motivation to the learning experience.

As part of the project, the students participated in an OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination), where they were evaluated on their understanding of tissues and their ability to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. The OSPE consisted of several stations, each testing their knowledge and skills in a different area of tissue anatomy. I was pleased to see that the students had gained a deeper understanding of the subject and were able to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. The use of the Design Thinking Framework had helped the students to develop a more nuanced understanding of the subject, and the team-based approach had fostered collaboration, communication, and mutual respect.

In conclusion, teaching anatomy through design thinking has been a rewarding experience, and I believe that it has helped my students to develop a deeper understanding of the subject. The use of the Design Thinking Framework has encouraged creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, and has helped the students to develop essential skills for their future careers. I plan to continue using this approach in my teaching, and I am excited to see the impact it will have on my students' learning outcomes. I would like to thank our Principal, Mrs. Sumathy Raja, for taking the time to attend the student presentations and provide feedback, and I look forward to continuing to innovate and improve my teaching practices in the future.