Work in progress - assessing adaptive expertise in physiology using online challenge modules in biofluids

The approaches biomedical engineering programs use to meet ABET criteria related to physiology vary. This study will test approaches to teaching physiology based on mathematical approach (quantitative vs. qualitative) and the way the content is structured (concepts-based vs. systems-based). After completing a physiology learning module presented in one of four ways: Quantitative, Concepts-based; Quantitative, Systems-based; Qualitative, Concepts-based; or Qualitative, Systems-based, participants will be observed collaborating on a challenge-based learning module centered on a topic in biofluids. Adaptive expertise in physiology will be assessed by observing how participants transfer the physiology content they have acquired. The learning management system Moodle¿ and online virtual world Second Life¿ are used to create a rich environment for data collection.