Non-linear, visual-rich supplemental material designed for an introductory course in veterinary anesthesia.

A possible reason for superficial learning in an introductory anesthesia course was considered to be a lack of visual reinforcement at the time of examination preparation. Students had limited access to live animal laboratories and clinical cases during the course, reducing their ability to depend on experiential learning. In an attempt to improve student learning, simple presentation software was used to develop a supplemental CD. The design involved multiple PowerPoint presentations that incorporated text, pictures, videos, and self-assessments. Non-linear exploration of the topics covered was made possible by extensive use of hyperlinks within and between presentations, moving the student to definitions, background material, videos, advanced details, and previously covered information. Comments received from students on a prototype were positive overall, and improvements were made related to their feedback. Other supplemental materials and lecture presentations can easily incorporate the techniques described here.