Online A&P Advice

RNHS · May 5, 2016

My classmate took online A&P, and she stated that it was harder.

Zyprexa_Ho · May 5, 2016

I found that my online sciences were harder than my classmates that took the in person lecture. I think it is because the professors think you have more time because you're doing it online, so they go into much more detail than they do if you take an in person lecture.

Quota, BSN, RN · May 5, 2016

I can't compare to taking A&P in person but I just finished A&P I online and start A&P II in just over a week. It is a lot of work but I wouldn't really call it difficult. At least not for me, though I have a strong science background from my previous Biology degree.

I think a lot of it depends on the format of the online class and how well it is set up. Mine was great. A lot of work but the majority of the assigned work builds you're knowledge of what will be on the tests. Reading what other people on AN have said about their A&P classes, both online and in person, how the class is set up matters a lot.

crazydoglady89 · May 5, 2016

It really depends on your teacher, I think.

I am taking ALL my pre reqs online (I work more than FT, and the classes even at the local CC would require me to basically quit my job, so it's a no go) and while I am doing well, it has been difficult.

The reason? My teacher doesn't teach (she posts "lecture" slides, which are literally 300-400 slides per chapter that summarize the freaking book chapter), and her tests are all essentially regurgitation of random book questions. I'm not saying the book questions are not important, but you can tell she just copy and pasted them from review questions. I feel like I actually have to work a lot harder because I had NO CLUE what she would ask. If you have read an AP book, you know it's next to impossible to know every detail.

My husband is a Physician Assistant so he has taken AP in the past few years. I let him see my tests when they are over, and he said my exams are too "textbook" and that he agrees it's dry, and not as "to the point" as the courses he took in PA school. Luckily, he guides me what I need to know "at the end of the day". So I'm happy with it.

I'm not knocking online classes, a lot of it depends on you. I am pretty disciplined (I took a lot of my first degree online due to my full time work load along with being a full time student and loved it), but it's just different. I supplemented my lack of a teacher by finding youtube lectures on the chapter I'm focusing on. It REALLY helped me "click" with a lot of concepts watching an actual teacher.

My studies went something like this:

*Read over textbook chapter

*Complete homework (multiple choice from the text, usually)

*Watch youtube lecture of highly rated prof on youtube and take notes

*review those notes every day quickly to help concepts sink in

*Re watch youtube lectures (I started a "folder" in my youtube favs for this)

*Talk to husband about any difficult concepts/pronunciation of words

I completely disregarded my profs lecture notes. They were useless. She literally summarized the chapter in powerpoint format. Luckily in this day and age, there is PLENTY of material out there for you to download (legally!). I found I still did fine. I struggled on a few VERY technical questions that my prof would ask, however I know enough to narrow down multiple choice questions.

A lot of it is going to be understanding your teachers testing format (is it mostly textbook? lecture? review questions? notes? homework?) and prepping around that.

I hope I helped. I have actually learned a lot of A&P. I wish I could get my hands on a real cadaver, but we do what we have to do.

pinky77 · May 6, 2016

Thanks for your post crazydoglady89!

I'm taking my biology pre-req. right now and had micro last quarter and the book slides and lecture are how we are taught as well. There are no assignments, just study the slides, then a test over 3-4 chapters. I wonder if this is a new method that is becoming popular?

The other thing I was curious is how lab tests are done for the online classes. Are the tests just done online as well with pictures where you have to identify certain muscles/bones etc.? And when you get into more detailed systems like the Cardiovascular/Circulatory/Respiratory are the lab tests questions about those systems or identification of certain areas?

So many questions! I just want to make the right choice for me.

Thanks,

Pinky

crazydoglady89 · May 6, 2016

I'm thinking written homework is more of a rarity in online classes simply because they contain more students than a regular class, so the teacher likely doesn't want to deal with 300 assignments.

In my case, lab was online as well. Yes, the "identify" questions were just labeling, or they would describe a situation (Greg fell down and hit his X, which bone did he break type of question). I know a lot of courses are "hybrid" with lecture being in person and lab being online.

I'm not really into systems yet (aside from muscular, skeletal and integument) because I've only finished AP1 so I can't really answer your second question yet.

At the end of the day, you need to be 100% sure that the program you are applying to will accept online A&P. Did you check with your hopeful schools?

lunanarya, BSN, RN · May 11, 2016

I took both lectures online, the A&PI Lab on campus, and the A&PII Lab online.

I had different instructors for both lectures/labs, and I also wholeheartedly agree it depends on your instructor. I'm in a similar situation as crazydoglady89; working FT+ and doing most/all of my pre-reqs online (in fact, this week was my last pre-req final!! WOO!!)

My A&P I instructor was really cool and helpful with questions, but their online course was VERY intense, much like what crazydoglady89 described. A lot of reading, then some more reading, and yup..more reading. They didn't really present opportunities for open discussions with the other class members online (IE he did not utilize the school's class page/discussion boards in that way.) The weekly home work was on Pearson's myMastery lab website, and it essentially was the eText, then a series of questions for that chapter; we had to answer a certain number correctly in order to move on to the next chapter. I got a B in A&P I, and honestly I was thoroughly surprised because as much as much as I liked the instructor and dove in to the material, I felt like banging my head against the table because I really didn't have an ongoing practical application for all of the stuff I was reading.

The A&PI Lab was at campus and was a huge life saver; essentially a chance to get a hands on opportunity with models and cadavers to memorize terms, locations, and basic concepts covered in the lecture.

Between A&P I & II, I moved to another state and transferred to a new college. They had no available campus lectures/labs for me that I could attend this semester; all they had was 1 online course that was open. Then I learned it was a combined lab/lecture. That made me extremely nervous, given my previous headbanging on desk with A&PI...answering 100 questions a week correctly...but I was completely surprised when I started. There was reading, reading reading, and more reading; but this instructor used a completely different method of teaching. Each week they would post a series of case studies related to the topic, and we each had to pick one or two questions related to it, research the answers and reply, and also reply to another student's post. It was a great way to practically apply what we were learning at the time and the instructor gave a lot great feedback. We did computerized "dry" labs that were equally as surprising. It's (from what I've heard) widely used lab software, full of voluminous lab reports, questions and quizzes. But, instead of using what came with the program for our labwork, the instructor created their own lab report for us to follow with specific instructions. I can't say that the instructor's lab reports took any less time than what the lab reports included with the software would have, but I definitely appreciated the critical thinking aspect. I got an A in A&PII.

I have read a lot of comments where people have said that A&PI was more challenging than II for them- I envy those folks. Both classes were equally as challenging for me, for different reasons. Overall I learned that I do much better when I have opportunities to critically think and apply about the material I'm reading through- an opportunity I never expected to have taking an online A&P class. But it does exist!

You will learn early one what kind of learning works best for you with online A&P.

ahefner, BSN · May 11, 2016

I recently completed A & P I and II at the SAME time ONLINE! I ended up with an A in I and a B in II. Our classes consisted of an online book, an online cadaver dissection (Seeley), and exams and quizzes. That was it. I almost wish we had homework to assist in the learning! After the first week of class I quickly realized that I needed a print version of the book. To order from the website was only $50.00 and it was the best investment I made all semester. I had to study excessively and make my own PowerPoints to study the muscles, bones, histology and all of the other items we needed for the "lab" portion of the tests. Ultimately, I ended up contacting my professor and going in to the lab to study a skeleton and to visit with her. I did that a few times and I think that also helped her realize that I was serious about learning. If I had to do it over and could somehow find a way to make it work with my full time work schedule, mothering, and being an officer for my coding organization I would have taken this class in person. I now have been accepted to Nursing school in the fall and find myself studying the textbook again! Kreb's cycle anyone????? :nailbiting:

lunanarya, BSN, RN · May 11, 2016

Dang! I & II at the same time? That had to be a mind job!

Kreb's cycle anyone?????

glomerular filtration:***:

crazydoglady89 · May 12, 2016

Krebs cycle was one of those things I accepted I just wasn't going to "get". LOL

pinky77 · May 13, 2016

crazydoglady89, I feel you on the Krebs cycles. We are studying it in biology and I do believe it will be the death of me. I'm really not sure how I will be able to remember what all of these do and how to keep them straight!! My friend is in AP 1 and was telling me about K, Na, Ca pumps and it makes my head spin.

I went ahead and signed up for summer so we'll see what happens.

Thanks,

Pinky :-)