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.

Keywords: Pharmacy calculations, Classroom technology, Teaching innovation