Scary A&P 2 Course (venting)

[Sweet.tigerlily]

Why is it scary? I am scared my course will not provide me with a foundation for nursing school. How is that so...my instructor provides a power point that us students must study on our own without a previous lecture on the topic. The next class period, we will then have a short lecture on the topic (instructor doesn't believe in lecture as a learning tool, doesn't go into concepts in detail, rushed through the cAMP portion for hormones). After the lecture we are quizzed individually and as a groups. So far, I am just memorizing what is on the powerpoint and not how a system works. This class just started, so maybe I will get an understanding of how systems work.

I hate this concept so much! I enjoy lecture, it provides me gist of what the topic is, ask clarifying questions, and then I can go study on my own about the topic, followed by a group study. My group in this class was predetermined, I had no say in who I my partners are. And so far only one person in my study group is willing to get together and go over the information. (there is a prior study partner from A&P1 that I will study with) I see myself bustin my booty off to know my power points slides and carrying the rest of my group to an A. I don't know whether to be happy or upset about 5 percent peer review...its different, but 5 percent is a good chunk of my grade. I am scared I will know the information needed for the group quiz, explain it, and then the group decides to go with a different answer, and I am suck with a lower group quiz score. The group quizzes are worth 20 percent.

Anyways, sorry for the vent. This was not what I wanted my first post to be. I am strong, dedicated, and I have a desire of become a nurse. I will survive this semester.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Sometimes you have to do things you do not like. If your plan is to be a nurse then you are required to complete AP pre req. It does not matter if you "like" it or you prefer something else. It is required so you complete the mission. If you feel you need to learn more go buy an additional book. Learning to complete requirements and successfully navigate the course (not unlike doctors orders) will serve you better than what was on page 327 in an AP book from a class you took 8 years ago.

[Zyprexa_Ho]

Like it or not, many professors are not going to spoon feed you information. If you have questions, it is up to you to get in contact with them and ask your questions (office hours, email, etc.). If you're afraid of what your group may do, I would suggest being very vocal and try to be a leader in the group. This isn't ideal of course, but you're in the course now and you have to finish it if you want to get into the nursing program.

[Shawn91111]

It sucks sometimes. My AP 1 professor was very very good, he was over organized, his powerpoints were the Picasso of powerpoints. I barely cracked open the book they were that good. This semester, only 2 weeks into it and the professor for AP 2 is the polar opposite, very unprepared, disorganized, a lot of stat filler in the powerpoints. No problem, it's just an adjustment.

[Sweet.tigerlily]

Thanks for the responses...half way through the semester and I have to say, I was wrong about this professor and his set up. I really do enjoy the group quizzes...it gives us students time to discuss what we think the correct answer is and why. The set up isn't what I am use to...the quizzes each week are actually challenging since I don't have a background in the medical field. I just take each week and soldier on.

[UCFAshley]

I am also struggling with A&P 2! I feel like she rushes us through the lecture and doesn't really "teach". My A&P I instructor was amazing. She was tough as nails but wanted her students to really learn, so she didn't just shovel info on top of us- yanno? I had to learn about the pip2 mechanism from YouTube. In fact a lot of what I am learning is on my own. The only time I rely on my current instructors power point is to make sure what im reading is consistent with her Ppt. Just for test purposes. This class is digging me an early grave which makes me scared about nursing lol.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Sounds like your instructor has "flipped the classroom". This is a new way of teaching in which students are expected to prepare themselves (with reading and review) prior to the class. Then, in-class activities are focused on application and exploration of the information rather than a lecture.

This method has been found to produce better outcomes, but it does require a much higher level of student engagement. If OP is only trying to "memorize the PowerPoints", that may be a problem. It would be more helpful to utilize some additional reading material as well. Your instructor could probably recommend some additional resources if you ask.