ADInstruments are proud to sponsor the Sam Drogo Technology in the Classroom Award in association with the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) as a way to honor the memory of Sam Drogo - a long time friend of ADInstruments and a truly outstanding educator.
For many years Sam worked closely with many of us here at ADInstruments to deliver instructor development at HAPS and elsewhere. We're so pleased to be able to work with HAPS to continue to honor Sam's contribution to teaching and to support and encourage those who share his passion for education.
This year the Sam Drogo Technology in the Classroom Award has been presented to three outstanding HAPS members who have demonstrated creative ways to utilize technology to engage undergraduate students in Human Anatomy and Physiology:
He Liu of Gannon University, Pennsylvania
He Liu is Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Gannon University, where he teaches Physiology. His work focuses on how human and animal physiology responds to the environment. He uses technology in his physiology labs to engage students on a very personal level - they sample and analyze their own saliva to observe the circadian rhythm of cortisol in their body. During labs, students use the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method to measure cortisol in samples of their saliva and then track and analyze their samples using LabChart software. He also uses tutorial and demonstration videos to teach his labs and uses his observation of student video-watching behavior to enhance the effectiveness of teaching.
Barbekka Hurtt of the University of Denver, Colorado
Barbekka Hurtt is currently Assistant Professor in the Biological Sciences department at the University of Denver. Throughout Barbekka's career, she has used a variety of technologies in her courses and labs, with the aim of discovering and integrating constructive and meaningful resources that improve engagement for students and faculty. Currently, Barbekka is giving her students the chance to use 3D technology as a way to explore within the human body during their human anatomy labs, in addition to dissection and modeling components. Students are able to drive the 3D simulations during the learning experience and also use the simulations to peer-teach during labs.
Leslie Day of Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
Leslie Day is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences at Northeastern University, teaching upper-level Gross Anatomy and Neuroanatomy courses, as well as an introductory anatomy course. Her current research focuses on the effectiveness of different teaching pedagogies, including the flipped-classroom and various technology. She brings her love for anatomy and quest for trying new technology into the classroom to make for a dynamic evidence-based teaching style that is friendly to all students.
Congratulations! Each winner received a travel grant and registration to the HAPS Conference which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
We look forward to hearing more about the innovative ways that educators are using technology to teach Human Anatomy and Physiology for next year's awards!