Question

[Stars2020]

Hello,

I am wondering if mandatory lectures need to be watched live? And when does Anatomy usually begin in first year? Thank you!

[Bic]

On 6/25/2021 at 4:24 PM, Stars2020 said:

Hello,

I am wondering if mandatory lectures need to be watched live? And when does Anatomy usually begin in first year? Thank you!

For UofA:

Most lectures can be watched at any time, however, some have an interactive component (Team Based Learning, for example) that you need to be present for. It's not always clear which classes have an interactive component though.

Also, most weeks have Discovery Learning sessions that you might feel pretty under prepared for if you fall behind on the lectures.

Anatomy starts in January with the cardio block, but there's usually a session before then to just introduce you to the gross lab.

[Stars2020]

20 hours ago, Bic said:

For UofA:

Most lectures can be watched at any time, however, some have an interactive component (Team Based Learning, for example) that you need to be present for. It's not always clear which classes have an interactive component though.

Also, most weeks have Discovery Learning sessions that you might feel pretty under prepared for if you fall behind on the lectures.

Anatomy starts in January with the cardio block, but there's usually a session before then to just introduce you to the gross lab.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. 

[dragoncat]

The schedule on Medsis will show what type of session it is. Didactic lectures typically say "whole class lecture" and can be attended live or vodcasted whenever. Discovery learning, TBL, and communication sessions must be attended live as those are small group sessions. And other random group sessions usually say your group number in the schedule so that's how you know what it is and attend live. 

And being more than 1 or 2 days behind on didactic lectures isn't recommended since you fall behind and aren't able to keep up with the others during group sessions. 

[Stars2020]

On 6/29/2021 at 10:06 AM, dragoncat said:

The schedule on Medsis will show what type of session it is. Didactic lectures typically say "whole class lecture" and can be attended live or vodcasted whenever. Discovery learning, TBL, and communication sessions must be attended live as those are small group sessions. And other random group sessions usually say your group number in the schedule so that's how you know what it is and attend live. 

And being more than 1 or 2 days behind on didactic lectures isn't recommended since you fall behind and aren't able to keep up with the others during group sessions. 

Thank you for letting me know.

[Stars2020]

On 6/29/2021 at 10:06 AM, dragoncat said:

The schedule on Medsis will show what type of session it is. Didactic lectures typically say "whole class lecture" and can be attended live or vodcasted whenever. Discovery learning, TBL, and communication sessions must be attended live as those are small group sessions. And other random group sessions usually say your group number in the schedule so that's how you know what it is and attend live. 

And being more than 1 or 2 days behind on didactic lectures isn't recommended since you fall behind and aren't able to keep up with the others during group sessions. 

Hello, roughly how often per week do we have mandatory in-person sessions (Discovery learning, TBL, communication, and small group sessions) during Foundations? And, in your opinion what is the best strategy on not falling behind on the material? Say studying the material the day it is presented or studying ahead of time if vodcasted? Thank you for your input.

[dragoncat]

On 7/25/2021 at 12:15 PM, Stars2020 said:

Hello, roughly how often per week do we have mandatory in-person sessions (Discovery learning, TBL, communication, and small group sessions) during Foundations? And, in your opinion what is the best strategy on not falling behind on the material? Say studying the material the day it is presented or studying ahead of time if vodcasted? Thank you for your input.

DL is usually every week, Mon-Wed-Fri. Tbl and other small group sessions are a bit more sporadic and spread throughout. You might have TBL once every week in some blocks or once every 2-3 weeks in others. 

I didn't quite get the hang of this until cardio block but doing weekly review is super helpful. I usually used Thursdays (day off) to review what was covered in the beginning of the week. And then friday and Saturday for weekly review. Foundations and Endo block are probably the only ones where there is different material each week but in all of the others, it all build on itself. So if you fall behind on week one, you will be very lost in week 2 as they are assuming you know and understand that material. Most blocks also have weekly quizzes so that forces you to stay on track.

For vodcasting, if you want to vodcast before the lecture, you can use the previous year's vodcast but there may be some changes so be aware! Each day's vodcasts are up by the end of the day but in my honest opinion, its better to just some to class if you can. Gives you the opportunity to ask questions and talk directly to peers and lecturers. 

It'll feel like a whirlwind in the beginning but just remember that everyone feels that way! The program also knows how challenging the start of med school is for most students and they are supportive and basically hold your hand in the first few weeks. Welcome to the UofA family!!

[Stars2020]

On 8/19/2021 at 11:06 AM, dragoncat said:

DL is usually every week, Mon-Wed-Fri. Tbl and other small group sessions are a bit more sporadic and spread throughout. You might have TBL once every week in some blocks or once every 2-3 weeks in others. 

I didn't quite get the hang of this until cardio block but doing weekly review is super helpful. I usually used Thursdays (day off) to review what was covered in the beginning of the week. And then friday and Saturday for weekly review. Foundations and Endo block are probably the only ones where there is different material each week but in all of the others, it all build on itself. So if you fall behind on week one, you will be very lost in week 2 as they are assuming you know and understand that material. Most blocks also have weekly quizzes so that forces you to stay on track.

For vodcasting, if you want to vodcast before the lecture, you can use the previous year's vodcast but there may be some changes so be aware! Each day's vodcasts are up by the end of the day but in my honest opinion, its better to just some to class if you can. Gives you the opportunity to ask questions and talk directly to peers and lecturers. 

It'll feel like a whirlwind in the beginning but just remember that everyone feels that way! The program also knows how challenging the start of med school is for most students and they are supportive and basically hold your hand in the first few weeks. Welcome to the UofA family!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply-your input is quite helpful. And thank you for the warm welcome!