The teaching and learning of human anatomy: the assessment of student performance after the use of concept maps as a pedagogical strategy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate the impact of the development of Concept Maps (MC), as a pedagogical strategy in teaching of Human Anatomy, one of the course subjects of Physical Therapy, from Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). A total of 298 students, enrolled regularly, participated of the study over six semesters. The mean analysis of the final scores of the students, prior to the expansion of the MC Project, showed decrease of average score over the semester, which was reversed when the MC were implemented systematically. The implementation of MC were also capable of promoting a significant reduction in the failure rate. Thus, we conclude that the use of MC seems to have contributed to improving student performance and also the approval rating in the discipline of Anatomy, especially after the systematization of its use by the Teaching Project supported by the institution.

Keywords:
Concept maps; Human anatomy; Higher education; Teaching and learning; Methodology of teaching