The A&P Professor

In Episode 131, Kevin Patton discusses the use of ChatGPT and other chatbots and artificial intelligence (AI)  in teaching and learning. We learn what's going on, what to be concerned about, and what to look forward to. And how to keep breathing. 0:00:00 | Introduction 0:00:53 | What's a Chatbot and Why Should I Care? 0:08:44 | Sponsored by AAA 0:09:51 | Kevin Asks ChatGPT Some Questions 0:21:25 |...

Host Kevin Patton revisits some classic segments from past episodes. In the first segment, he explains why he thinks storytelling is the heart of effective teaching. Then. he tells a brief version of his actin-myosin love story —a playful analogy to help students learn about muscle contraction. 00:00 | Introduction 01:07 | Storytelling: The Heart of Teaching 15:36 | Sponsored by AAA, HAPI, and HAP...

In yet another of our Winter Shorts episodes, Kevin Patton discusses his experience with Pre-Tests as a learning tool —not simply an assessment tool. Surprisingly, the use of Pre-Tests improved student scores on the regular tests. 00:00 | Introduction 01:07 | What is a Pre-Test? 07:52 | Sponsored by AAA, HAPI, and HAPS 09:25 | More Strategies for Learning the Skeleton 15:13  | Staying Connected  ...

In another of our Winter Shorts episodes, Kevin Patton discusses nine (or is it ten?) simple strategie s for improving student learning of the human skeleton in the anatomy and physiology course. 00:00 | Introduction 01:07 | Strategies for Learning the Skeleton 10:10 | Sponsored by AAA, HAPI, and HAPS 11:43 | More Strategies for Learning the Skeleton 20:30  | Staying Connected   ★ If you cannot se...

Episode 127 is one of our winter shorts, where I replay interesting segments from previous episodes. In this one, you'll hear about the role of platelets in immunity, how the Golgi apparatus gets its weird shape, exactly how hot mitochondria get , and why we may want to consider marking assignments and tests with a green pen , rather than a red one. 00:00 | Introduction 01:07 | Mitochondria 02:29...

We list ten thing s that we often forget to tell —or remind—our students about cells. We learn how to create a peaceful forest-like retreat in our office using soundscapes, I get my winter shorts ready (seriously), and Margaret Reece comments about teaching urinary concepts . That last topic spurs a rant from Kevin on diversity of course sections. 00:00 | Introduction 00:56 | Pee Again 07:46  | A...

Teaching renal anatomy & physiology is tricky and sometimes difficult. In The Pee Episode I'll tell you how I know that for sure . Plus, I'll share some possible strategies for providing the clarity needed to avoid confusion and that unhelpful kind of frustration that sometimes accompanies the renal module in our course. And there's a song from Greg Crowther! 00:00 | Introduction 00:47 | Adventure...

Dr. Krista Rompolski joins us for a Journal Club episode discussing a study regarding whether it's best to have a separate anatomy course followed by a physiology course, or to combine anatomy & physiology i nto an integrated two-semester sequence. We've all considered this question, haven't we? Now we have some data to discuss! 00:00 | Introduction 00:45 | Journal Club 02:46  | Summary of Article...

Host Kevin Patton revisits the concept of using the syllabus and other course documents to build a positive and productive course culture. Poop —it's everywhere! Does the font or typeface we use affect students—especially regarding learning and memory ? We look for answers in this episode! 00:00 | Introduction 00:52 | Revisiting the Syllabus 16:28 | Poop. Poop. Poop. 19:00 | Sponsored by AAA 19:59...

Veteran A&P educator and reproduction researcher Dr. Margaret Reece joins host Kevin Patton to talk about challenges of teaching human reproduction and development. Reece also briefly discusses her online resource s (MedicalScienceNavigator.com) and her experiences in helping overwhelmed A&P students succeed in their studies. 00:00 | Introduction 00:43 | Reproductive Biology 08:13 | Sponsored by A...

In The Poop Episode , host Kevin Patton applies stories from his experience monitoring digestive health in zoo and circus animals to human anatomy and physiology. We explore the frequency of defecation, and how to read poop for common health issues. This is the episode that tells you how to get an elephant to poop on command! 00:00 | Introduction 01:08 | Getting Our 5#!+ in Order 07:42 | Zookeeper...

Host Kevin Patton discusses the importance of the course syllabus in setting the tone for a course and helping to create a positive course culture. He includes a list of practical steps we can take as we review and update our anatomy and physiology course syllabus. 00:00 | Introduction 02:02 | What, If Anything, Is a Course Syllabus? 13:03 | Sponsored by AAA 14:16 | Sparking a Course Culture 23:58...

Phantasia , forming mental images in our mind's eye, can be enhanced by making effective visually oriented slides . Facts about biology misconceptions can stir things up when they relate to pregnancy and abortion. 00:00 | Introduction 00:41 | Offensive, strongly disagree or disapprove 08:45 | Sponsored by AAA 09:55 | Pregnant People 16:27 | Sponsored by HAPI 17:18 | MInd's Eye: Phantasia 25:42  |...

Host Kevin Patton uses a recent article from Science News as a basis for discussing the biological processes involved in pregnancy, birth, and abortion care to clarify misconceptions and support productive public conversation. 00:00 | Introduction 00:56 | Why Address These Concepts 14:53 | Sponsored by AAA 16:15 | Strategies 21:44 | Sponsored by HAPI 22:44 | Concepts & Misconceptions 32:15  | Spon...

Sure, we're all life-long learners . But taking an actual college course from time to time throughout our teaching career can have unexpected benefits. Olfactory adaptation helps a lot when visiting the zoo, of course, but how does it really work? Researchers have found some new answers. Did you know that cerebrospinal fluid affects the process of memory? It does and we'll find out how. 00:00 | In...

Host Kevin Patton talks about why our anatomy & physiology students need to experience and get comfortable with sectional anatomy, Terry Thompson shares some thoughts on deadline terminology —and she gives us a thoughtful book review and recommendation for The A&P Professor Book Club —and we review a few slide tricks. 0:00:00 | Introduction 0:00:50 | Expiration Dates 0:05:02 | Sponsored by AAA 0:0...

We once again revisit deadline extensions, we discuss warm demanders and how they avoid toxic rigor, we discover which arm is best for a vaccine booster, we find out if we can grow new auditory hair cells , we get tips on how to speak more effectively while wearing a mask, and learn about a new discovery about oxygen absorption in the intestines.  Can we breathe through our anus? Listen to find ou...

Skin's microbiome is essential for health. In this episode, host Kevin Patton explores that concept and introduces a new recommendation in The A&P Professor Book Club — Clean: The New Science of the Skin. Also, science updates about B vitamins and skeletal adaptations in human birth —and a listener revisits academic integrity involved in deadline leniency. 00:00 | Introduction 00:45 | Revisiting D...

Host Kevin Patton discusses the fact that many students hate histology. And perhaps even some faculty. Are there any ways to fix that? Kevin thinks he may have found a breakthrough idea. 00:00 | Introduction 01:20 | Sponsored by AAA 02:25 | Why Do Students Hate Histology? 16:27 | Sponsored by HAPI 17:06 | Birding For Tissues 39:15  | Sponsored by HAPS 40:14 | A Breakthrough 51:25  | Staying Connec...

In this episode, host Kevin Patton asks, how do we handle the trepidation we experience when we are flooded with uncertainty after an intense learning experience? Some thoughts about being upfront about using models, analogies, and color codes in science. And we explore that difficult question: should we extend deadlines for students when they ask? 00:00 | Introduction 00:43 | Trepidation After Ne...

Author Judi Nath stops by once more for a chat about another of her new books, this one titled Digesting Foods and Fads. We discuss the book's content , why Judi wrote it, and how we can use the book's content to become better teachers of human anatomy & physiology. 00:00 | Introduction 00:42 | Introducing Judi Nath 03:56 | Sponsored by AAA 03:12 | Digesting Food and Fads 18:11 | Sponsored by HAPI...

Author Judi Nath stops by for a chat about her new book Sins Against Science: How Misinformation Affects Our Lives and Laws. We discuss the origins of the book, its central message, and how we can use the book's content to become better teachers of human anatomy & physiology. 00:00 | Introduction 00:42 | Introducing Judi Nath 03:56 | Sponsored by AAA 04:47 | Sins Against Science 14:13 | Sponsored...

This episode continues a discussion of the many simple strategies available for making our anatomy and physiology course more inclusive. Here, we learn eight more easy ways to make our courses work better for all learners. 0:00:00 | Introduction 0:00:46 | More on the Inclusive Course 0:07:51 | Sponsored by AAA 0:08:38 | 8. Student Interest Survey 0:14:35 | 9. Inclusive Office Hours 0:24:22 | Spons...

As anatomy and physiology faculty, we put a lot of effort into developing strategies for learning the core concepts of human biology. It's easy to forget to build in some inclusive strategies that help all students grow and succeed. In this first of two episode, host Kevin Patton begins a list of simple and effective ways to make our A&P course more inclusive. 00:00 | Introduction 00:46 | The Incl...

Episode 107 of The A&P Professor podcast for anatomy & physiology faculty starts off its fifth season with a debriefing of the last year, just like we do with our teaching, plus a look ahead. We'll review host Kevin Patton's predictions from last year and make some new predictions for this year. And makes some plans, too. 0:00:00 | Introduction 0:01:19 | Look Back: Milestones & New Projects 0:19:1...