Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, Vol 28, Issue 2, 82-87
Copyright © 2001 by Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
The 2001 Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award. Teaching the basic sciences to veterinary students: science or art or both? One teacher's journey into self-examination
BG Klein
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Veterinary faculty do not often get the chance to reflect on their own teaching practices. Recent circumstances dictated that the author perform such a self-analysis. This article represents the fruits of that reflection process. A personal philosophy of teaching is presented, along with impressions of the student experience. Using these as a guide, ideas are presented about the package of material that should be delivered to the students, how that package should be delivered, and some special tools to aid delivery. A personal wish list of items that might lead to a better teaching experience is also included. Although the teaching game plan presented here is unlikely to be the best strategy, it is hoped that it may provide some helpful hints for other instructors of veterinary medicine or, at least, stimulate further thinking about how the teaching and learning experience can be improved for both teacher and student.
