Approaches for online teaching of practical veterinary anatomy and biochemistry during the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Zambia: an online search of complementary cyber pedagogy techniques

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought some challenges in the delivery of practical-based curricula such as veterinary anatomy and biochemistry. When compared to the face-to-face mode of delivery, online delivery of comparative veterinary anatomy and biochemistry lacks the hands-on training obtained during the face-to-face mode of delivery. Of particular concern is the lack of real hands-on experience such as cadaveric dissections, experimentations in biochemistry and the lack of objective assessment of students. Challenges associated with online teaching of practical-based courses may result in compromised quality of graduate veterinarians. It is therefore important for educators in practical comparative veterinary anatomy and biochemistry to be fully aware of the availability of various online methods including their advantages and disadvantages when compared to the face-to-face mode of delivery. In this review article, we have provided some insights into some selected methods and software that are available online that can be used in the delivery of online practical comparative veterinary anatomy and biochemistry. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used to search the literature for information on online teaching of practical comparative veterinary anatomy and biochemistry. The literature search retrieved a number of articles on online delivery of practical veterinary anatomy including or IVALA, 3D Canine Anatomy and IMAIOS Vet-Anatomy. For Biochemistry several online based or virtual demonstration laboratories exist as well as open-source software for molecular visualization. The advantages and disadvantages of some selected cyber pedagogy technics are discussed.