A brief report on the use of paper-based computing to supplement a pharmaceutical calculations course
Abstract
Objectives
To describe changes in the delivery of the pharmaceutical calculations course associated with incorporation of synchronized audio/visual recordings (pencasts) using the Livescribe Pulse™ pen.
Design
First-year professional students enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program (n = 108) participated weekly in two one-hour lecture sessions in a web-assisted pharmaceutical calculations course. This manuscript describes the use of supplemental paper-based computing with pencasting in a web-assisted pharmaceutical calculations course.
Assessment
Surveys were distributed to all students enrolled in the pharmacy calculations course. Student perspectives for the paper-based computing enhancements were collected and evaluated.
Conclusion
Nearly half (46%) of students surveyed reported using pencasts, and 92.6% of students who reported using pencasts believed that pencasts enhanced learning. Students also responded that pencasts may be beneficial for other pharmacy courses, including pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, chemistry, physical chemistry, and pharmacology.
aDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, University of Toledo College of Pharmacy, Toledo, OH
bDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Ohio Northern University, Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ada, OH
Corresponding author: Mary F. Powers, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Toledo College of Pharmacy, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606
The study was supported in part by a grant from the University of Toledo Center for Teaching and Learning.
ABSTRACT