The use of popular movies during lectures to aid the teaching and learning of undergraduate pharmacology.
BACKGROUND
The role of the lecturer has changed to one where they must engage and motivate students to learn the subject material.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the use of short movie references to pharmacology during lectures could stimulate learning in undergraduate students.


METHODS
One- to two-min film clips from popular movies containing a reference to the subject being covered were incorporated into Powerpoint presentations and shown at different times during pharmacology lectures. At the end of the lecture series, a student survey was conducted to assess the impact of the movies on student motivation, engagement and learning.


RESULTS
Three positive effects were noted. First, students related theory to (simulated) practice by recognising that what they had learnt was actually being used. Second, students were motivated to attend lectures to see what clip would be used. Third, the clips provided a sectioning break, which helped to maintain the engagement of students throughout the lecture as well as the organisation of the lecture by the lecturer.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of short popular movie references was a novel way to motivate and maintain the interest of large classes of undergraduate students throughout lectures.
Ventura
Sab
S
Monash University, Vic 3052, Australia. Sab.Ventura@pharm.monash.edu.au
Onsman
Andrys
A
D003625:Data Collection; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D009040:Motion Pictures; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*