Teaching vs Self directed learning in GEMS??

pepsiorcoke

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice regarding the different teaching styles in the GEM courses.

I'm currently a 1st yr in UL & have pretty much been debating should I stay or go since the first week. I'm a non science graduate and personally I'm finding the self directed approach extremely difficult.

In hindsight I didn't research or fully understand the concept of self directed learning & I'm not sure if it is working at all for me in terms of learning.

I'd love to hear from people in other colleges, particularly those of the non science denomination! I'd be interested to find out more about how the basic sciences - physiology, pharmacology etc are taught & assessed but particularly anatomy as I can't grasp how to self direct myself through Greys Anatomy at all!!! I really don't like the way anatomy isn't hands on, and I'm very concerned I will have a poor grasp of anatomy in the future.

I do realise there is an adjustment period for everyone and the workload is heavy in every college. I'm just not sure if it this approach is an unnecessary struggle and if there are other ways of learning that would give me a better foundation.

I genuinely thought I would enjoy learning via a self directed approach but I'm not at all at the moment! I feel like I need to taught some basics in order to understand anything right now!I have a Gamsat score that I could have got me in anywhere this year, so the element of choice is helping me doubt my choice!

Advice much appreciated!! Thanks!

Grouphero

pepsiorcoke wrote: »

I'd love to hear from people in other colleges, particularly those of the non science denomination! I'd be interested to find out more about how the basic sciences - physiology, pharmacology etc are taught & assessed but particularly anatomy as I can't grasp how to self direct myself through Greys Anatomy at all!!! I really don't like the way anatomy isn't hands on, and I'm very concerned I will have a poor grasp of anatomy in the future.

Hey! I attend GEM in Dublin. Non science grad. GAMSAT score, nothing to write home about. Seriously struggling. We do an MCQ every 2 weeks to assess all the subjects you've mentioned. Anatomy is hands on but taught TOO fast for my own comprehension, we are also assessed every two weeks for that. So one has to try to be on top of things but it would seem that things are on top of me at the moment. As you know the work load is phenomenal. I have had doubts about PBL since I am of non-science background, now I am being taught face to face by a tutor, yet, I am finding it tough. Just to clarify, that it's the workload that makes it tough, not the course itself, everything is rushed. I wonder how one can learn anatomy without cadavers. One thing I overlooked before starting GEM is that I would be surrounded by students who are exceptionally brilliant. I have never felt so out of place!

letsdothis

Non Science here in UCD. My perspective on the didactic learning style is that at times (frequently!) the pace that material is covered is so fast that in lectures it goes over my head and I can only make sense of it if I study the material before and after the lecture. After a month or so of classes, I'm now quite often just skipping the classes and going through it myself. I do, however, find the anatomy lectures very helpful. I enjoy dissection too but it's certainly not the be all and end all of learning anatomy. OP - you need to find your own style of learning anatomy. I've dabbled with flash cards, books, online quizzes, youtube, colouring books and have concluded that, for me, 3D visualisation apps are by the far the best way of learning it. I say give it the semester at least and see how you get on. If you are finding it tough going, I think all non-science graduates are finding it the same and I wouldn't let that put you off. If what you are learning and the end goal still excites you, you will get there.