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Alternatives Database
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Review
By Dr. Horst Schneider horstschneider@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Institute of Physiology, Philipps-University Marburg (commissioned by eurca)
Summary
‘Nerve Physiology’ allows to perform a number of simulated experiments on a virtual frog sciatic nerve preparation in order to investigate some of the important characteristics of compound nerve action potentials (CNAP). The virtually recorded CNAP's are all derived from real experimental data which guarantees their very realistic appearance. If the aim is to learn the principles of nerve physiology, 'Nerve Physiology' can provide a complete replacement for all important experiments on the frog sciatic nerve preparation. If the objectives are to improve the student's practical skills then this program, as well as simulation programs in general, is not suitable to replace the real animal model in the laboratory.
‘Nerve Physiology’ clearly has tutorial capabilities but gives not sufficient background information (e.g. to the design of the experiments) for the unexperienced student. Thus, a comprehensive lecture - prior to the usage of the program - is strongly recommended.
Comparison of the alternative resource with real animal model in the laboratory
The resource package allows the students to perform a number of simulated experiments which can be conducted on the frog sciatic nerve to investigate some of the important characteristics of compound nerve action potentials (CNAP) recorded from mixed nerves. Simulations of CNAP's, which are all derived from real experimental data and therefore look very realistic, are presented in a form comparable to that of a storage oscilloscope and students take measurements directly from the monitor in much the same way as they would if they were performing the experiment for real. If the aim is to learn the principles of nerve physiology, the program can provide a complete replacement for all important experiments on the frog sciatic nerve preparation. One has to consider that 'Nerve Physiology' is not a tutorial but focus on the main aspects of nerve physiology (e.g. comparison of biphasic/monophasic CNAP), relationship of stimulus to response, refractory period, conduction velocity, the directionality of CNAP propagation and others) and analysis of experimental data. Thus, to successfully perform the experiments, the students should have advanced knowledge about nerve physiology.
The program has a plain user interface, which is easy to understand even for inexperienced students, but also has the consequence that the computer ‘laboratory’ is very remote from the real situation. ‘Nerve Physiology’ does not provide any effective practice of laboratory skills, e.g. the preparation of the nerve or the handling of complex electronical equipment (like oscilloscope or amplifier). Furthermore, these issues are not even described, explained or shown in the program (and there is only limited information given by the digital manual). Thus, if the objectives of the laboratory class are to improve the student's practical skills then this program and simulation programs in general are not suitable to replace the real animal model in the laboratory.
Using the alternative resource
The resource package is supplied on 2 HD diskettes in a compressed format and has to be installed on local computer(s) by an installation program. The installation-process was easy to perform and succeeded without any problem. Furthermore, ‘Nerve Physiology’ was tested in several sessions for about 1-3 hours each and during this time it run without fault or problem (even though several other programs were running in parallel), but was not tested for networked use. Together with the program, a (digital) manual is also installed in the home directory of 'Nerve Physiology'. The manual gives only short (but sufficient) information about the software and includes also detailed tutor notes which are intended to assist teachers to use the program most effectively. In addition, the manual contains a workbook which can be distributed for student use.
The program is divided into a quiz and an experiment section, both of them with a very clear and consistent screen design, which guides the student linearly through the tasks. The quiz section consists of several questions, which can be answered by ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. In the case of a wrong answer a text window is presented, which gives short background information about the topic of the question. The quiz is a nice tool to re-enforce some theoretical basic knowledge, but correct answers of all questions does not guarantee that students successfully perform and understand the experiments. For instance, the experimental design of the different experiments on the sciatic nerve preparation is neither mentioned in the quiz nor in the experiment section or in the manual, but is essential information in order to understand most of the experiments.
One or two simple illustrations about the experimental design would be an enormous help for the students. Thus, the program gives some but not sufficient tutorial help and - like for real experiments - a tutor is important to give the students the required information about nerve physiology and the design of the experiments!
The main part of ‘Nerve Physiology’ are the simulated experiments which are divided in seven ‘chapters’ and can be accessed by a simple mouse click to a corresponding button. The program comprise all important topics on the classical sciatic nerve experiments:
Contribution of the alternative resource to the 3R's
The program certainly has the potential to reduce the use of animals, because it simulates all the experiments that are usually performed during a real practical course. However, the plain and self-explaining screen design, which is consistent in all experiments, will never give the users a real laboratory ambience - but has the advantage that even unexperienced students can work more or less independently.
Applicability in teaching situation
‘Nerve Physiology’ is mainly suitable for teaching undergraduate students in medicine, biology and related faculties but it might also be conceivable in biology classes at college level. Particularly, if there is no aim to develop practical skills in tissue preparation and the handling of typical electrophysiological laboratory equipment. Because of the clear screen design of the program the students can work independently alone or in groups, which will simplify eventual necessary guidance from a tutor. The programmers of 'Nerve Physiology' have undertaken noticeable effort to give students background information about nerve physiology in the quiz section and via the protocol-/assignment-information in the experimental section. Furthermore, the manual includes a lot of information and recommendations for tutors in a teaching situation. However, the almost complete lack of information about the experimental design (see above) may require a lecture for the students prior to the usage of the program.
Visual appearance
The program has a very clear and consistent user interface, which mainly provides text fields or text buttons. This has the advantage that the students can focus on their tasks and will not be confused by too complex arrangements of the screen design. Furthermore, even users that are not ‘computer-enthusiasts’ will find it simple to handle the program and navigate linearly through the tasks. However, the main disadvantage of the plain screen design is its highly 'artificial' visual appearance, which has almost no relation to the real situation in the laboratory and does not evoke the feeling to work even in an computer laboratory. The simulated CNAP's have a realistic shape but show a limited 'physiological variance'.
If you are an author or supplier of this alternative and you would like to write a response to this review please contact eurca with your reply.
Designed and produced for eurca by The Learning Technology Section, The University of Edinburgh. ©2001-2005 eurca