Papers by Timothy D Wilson
Anatomical Sciences Education
Reduction in faculty positions in higher education and increased graduate matriculation rates rep... more Reduction in faculty positions in higher education and increased graduate matriculation rates represent a higher education conundrum. Planned happenstance theory (PHT) is a career development model focusing on positive outcomes resulting from unpredictable precareer events. This mixed methods study explores how PHT applies to the career paths of a clinical anatomy (CA) postgraduate cohort. It provides insight into educational practices designed to equip students for labor markets inside and outside academia. Alumni of CA (n = 12; 2014‐2018) were interviewed about career‐related events transpiring from graduate studies to present, allowing exploration on how PHT contextualizes their shared experiences. Planned happenstance career inventory (PHCI) enumerated planned happenstance skill (PHS) scores. Total PHS was referenced 527 times across 12 interviews. Of the PHS references, curiosity established highest incidence (154 references, 29%), optimism (132 references, 25%), flexibility (101 references, 19%), risk‐taking (85 references, 16%), and persistence (55 references, 10%) and 43 distinct happenstance events were documented. In addition, social networking (52 references) arose as an emergent code and was divided into internal networking (28 references, 54%) and external networking (24 references, 46%). Application of the five‐point PHCI scale revealed: curiosity (4.4 ± 0.3; mean ± SD), flexibility (3.6 ± 0.7), persistence (4.4 ± 0.3), optimism (4.3 ± 0.4), and risk‐taking (4.1 ± 0.5). Curiosity had the strongest association with happenstance event incidence. Social networking was a key substituent of PHT not yet described in the literature. Educational practices incorporating PHT concepts, with emphasis on curiosity, may provide graduates novel metacognitive skills needed to develop novel career paths.
Medical teacher, Feb 7, 2017
Determining the effect of dynamic images on learning is often limited to performance measures. Th... more Determining the effect of dynamic images on learning is often limited to performance measures. This study explores the impact from the perspective of cerebral blood flow in the brain during learning. Performance and neurophysiological response in high and low spatial ability were compared during learning with dynamic images. Individuals with high spatial ability appear to be better suited to learn with complex images such as dynamic images that move in time and space. The results presented here suggest that spatial ability can help to determine the effectiveness of the media we use for teaching.
Anatomical sciences education, Jan 5, 2016
Learning in anatomy can be both spatially and visually complex. Pedagogical investigations have b... more Learning in anatomy can be both spatially and visually complex. Pedagogical investigations have begun exploration as to how spatial ability may mitigate learning. Emerging hypotheses suggests individuals with higher spatial reasoning may attend to images differently than those who are lacking. To elucidate attentional patterns associated with different spatial ability, eye movements were measured in individuals completing a timed electronic mental rotation test (EMRT). The EMRT was based on the line drawings of Shepherd and Metzler. Individuals deduced whether image pairs were rotations (same) or mirror images (different). It was hypothesized that individuals with high spatial ability (HSA) would demonstrate shorter average fixation durations during problem solving and attend to different features of the EMRT than low spatial ability (LSA) counterparts. Moreover, question response accuracy would be associated with fewer fixations and shorter average response times, regardless of spa...
British Journal of Educational Technology, 2016
Ontario. His research focuses is on educational technology and the impact on the learner and perf... more Ontario. His research focuses is on educational technology and the impact on the learner and performance. He has taught graduated level courses in the field of Educational Technology focusing on 21st century teaching and learning
Understanding the relationship between cognitive processing and learner performance on tasks usin... more Understanding the relationship between cognitive processing and learner performance on tasks using digital media has become increasingly important as the transition towards online learning programs increases. Determining the impact of implementation of instructional resources is often limited to performance outcomes and comparisons to the status quo. This study measured changes in cerebral blood velocity (CBV) of the right middle cerebral artery during visual learning tasks using static images. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was used to compare the changes in CBV during learning of individuals with high and low spatial ability. Our results show that there is a slight increase from baseline values of CBV in individuals with high spatial ability during the learning task for the present study. In contrast, individuals with low spatial ability experience a decrement from baseline during the learning task. These results suggest spatial ability mitigates cognitive load and potential...
victorialywood.com
Peter Lewin oversaw 20+ years of research focused on this collection of mummies, and accomplished... more Peter Lewin oversaw 20+ years of research focused on this collection of mummies, and accomplished several "firsts" for mummy studies. In 1974 he led the autopsy of Nakht, a mummy with a particularly fine coffin, who dated to the XXI st dynasty. This undertaking was inspired by the autopsy of PUM-II (Lewin 1977), performed in 1973 by A. Cockburn and the Paleopathology Association (Cockburn et al. 1998). Nakht's autopsy brought together a diverse and talented group of medical and Egyptological researchers who found that: Nakht was an adolescent male who had suffered from episodes of childhood stress, had granite particles in his lungs, schistosome and tapeworm cysts in several organs and cirrhosis of the liver, probably secondary to the parasite infestation. They also noted that he had been given a very cursory embalming without the use of natron, all his organs (including his brain) were in situ, and the body had apparently been wrapped before it had fully desiccated. These results shed new light on the life and afterlife of a poor weaver who had served in the temple of User-khau-re (see Hart et al. 1977 and accompanying papers).
Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2011
To determine the long-term retention of a 3-dimentional (3-D) educational computer model of the l... more To determine the long-term retention of a 3-dimentional (3-D) educational computer model of the larynx to teach laryngeal anatomy and to compare it with standard written instruction (SWI).
AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2006
Despite considerable interest in the neural mechanisms that regulate muscle blood flow, the desce... more Despite considerable interest in the neural mechanisms that regulate muscle blood flow, the descending pathways that control sympathetic outflow to skeletal muscles are not adequately understood. The present study mapped these pathways through the transneuronal transport of two recombinant strains of pseudorabies virus (PRV) injected into the gastrocnemius muscles in the left and right hindlimbs of rats: PRV-152 and PRV-BaBlu. To prevent PRV from being transmitted to the brain stem via motor circuitry, a spinal transection was performed just below the L2 level. Infected neurons were observed bilaterally in all of the areas of the brain that have previously been shown to contribute to regulating sympathetic outflow: the medullary raphe nuclei, rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), rostral ventromedial medulla, A5 adrenergic cell group region, locus coeruleus, nucleus subcoeruleus, and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. The RVLM, the brain stem region typically considere...
To evaluate a novel method of teaching laryngeal anatomy. Prospective, randomized, controlled tri... more To evaluate a novel method of teaching laryngeal anatomy. Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. University educational program. Computer model development: A three-dimensional (3D) educational computer model of the larynx was created from high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance images of cadaveric necks using segmentation software (Amira) (Visage Imaging, Inc., Carlsbad, CA). E-learning authoring software (Articulate, Articulate Global, Inc, New York, NY) then was used to make the model interactive and multimedia. The model was launched on a Web-based platform. Model evaluation: One hundred students (age 23.8 +/- 2.2 years; 55% male) were randomized to either the 3D computer model group (3D group) (n = 50) or the standard written instruction group (SWI group) (n = 50). The primary outcome measure was the score on a 20-question laryngeal anatomy test; the secondary outcome measure was a student opinion questionnaire. The mean score on the laryngeal anatomy test was 14.2 +/- 2.8 (72.0 +/- 15.1%). The mean score for the 3D group was 13.6 +/- 3.0 (67.0 +/- 16.1%) versus 14.8 +/- 2.5 (76.0 +/- 12.7%) for the SWI group (t = 2.194, df = 98, p < .031). A majority of students felt that the 3D model was effective, clear, user-friendly, and a preferred supplement to traditional methods of instruction. The 3D group rated the computer model more enjoyable than the SWI group. A 3D educational computer model of the larynx was not shown to be superior to written lecture notes in its efficacy in teaching anatomy; however, it was judged to be a preferred and valuable supplement to traditional teaching methods.
Journal of surgical education
A major challenge in laparoscopic surgery is the lack of depth perception. With the development a... more A major challenge in laparoscopic surgery is the lack of depth perception. With the development and continued improvement of 3D video technology, the potential benefit of restoring 3D vision to laparoscopy has received substantial attention from the surgical community. Despite this, procedures conducted under 2D vision remain the standard of care, and trainees must become proficient in 2D laparoscopy. This study aims to determine whether incorporating 3D vision into a 2D laparoscopic simulation curriculum accelerates skill acquisition in novices. Postgraduate year-1 surgical specialty residents (n = 15) at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, at Western University were randomized into 1 of 2 groups. The control group practiced the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery peg-transfer task to proficiency exclusively under standard 2D laparoscopy conditions. The experimental group first practiced peg transfer under 3D direct visualization, with direct visualization of the workin...
Anatomical sciences education, Jan 24, 2015
Mental rotation ability (MRA) is linked to academic success in the spatially complex Science, Tec... more Mental rotation ability (MRA) is linked to academic success in the spatially complex Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Mathematics (STEMM) disciplines, and anatomical sciences. Mental rotation literature suggests that MRA may manifest in the movement of the eyes. Quantification of eye movement data may serve to distinguish MRA across individuals, and serve as a consideration when designing visualizations for instruction. It is hypothesized that high-MRA individuals will demonstrate fewer eye fixations, conduct shorter average fixation durations (AFD), and demonstrate shorter response times, than low-MRA individuals. Additionally, individuals with different levels of MRA will attend to different features of the block-figures presented in the electronic mental rotations test (EMRT). All participants (n = 23) completed the EMRT while metrics of eye movement were collected. The test required participants view pairs of three-dimensional (3D) shapes, and identify if the pair...
Journal of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery Le Journal D Oto Rhino Laryngologie Et De Chirurgie Cervico Faciale, Dec 1, 2012
Objective: Advancements in technology and personal computing afford the development of novel teac... more Objective: Advancements in technology and personal computing afford the development of novel teaching modalities such as online Web-based modules. These modules are currently being incorporated into undergraduate medical curricula and, in some paradigms, have been shown to be superior to traditional methods of instruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of a computer-assisted learning (CAL) module to demonstrate content and spatial information in the context of cranial nerve anatomy.
Journal of Surgical Education, May 20, 2013
OBJECTIVE: The use of stereoscopic imaging can provide additional depth cues that may increase tr... more OBJECTIVE: The use of stereoscopic imaging can provide additional depth cues that may increase trainee performance on surgical tasks, but it has yet to be evaluated using a validated surgical skill system. This study examines the influence of monoscopic vs stereoscopic visualization in novice trainees performing the McGill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skill (MISTELS) tasks, a validated laparoscopic skill-evaluation system, predicting a difference in performance based on visualization modality.
The Faseb Journal, Apr 1, 2009
Journal of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery Le Journal D Oto Rhino Laryngologie Et De Chirurgie Cervico Faciale, Aug 1, 2010
Didactic head and neck anatomy teaching has been replaced by a novel self-directed, multimodal, a... more Didactic head and neck anatomy teaching has been replaced by a novel self-directed, multimodal, and multidisciplinary approach at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (SSMD). To describe the use of a novel teaching paradigm at SSMD and to enable readers to determine how this methodology may benefit medical students at other academic institutions and disciplines. Prospective cohort study. The paradigm consists of multimedia learning modules to guide independent anatomy learning. Students received a case-based assignment based on the content of the learning modules to guide them through cadaveric dissections facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons and anatomists. Postcourse survey and mean scores comparison. The survey collected data, including demographics and previous anatomic and computer-assisted learning (CAL) experiences, and focused on measuring student perception of the proposed paradigm. Secondary outcome: Correlation of demographics. The paradigm was successfully implemented and warmly received, but it still requires further development. Although CAL allows increased individual engagement, students still enjoy and value lectures. In addition, students view instruction by surgeons in laboratories as the most valuable component of their anatomy teaching as it not only deepened the students' understanding of anatomic structures but also provided them with the clinical relevance. Technological innovations were welcomed by the students but have not replaced their appreciation of dissection and lecures.
Anatomical sciences education, Jan 30, 2015
Computer-assisted 3D models are used in some medical and allied health science schools; however, ... more Computer-assisted 3D models are used in some medical and allied health science schools; however, they are often limited to online use and 2D flat screen-based imaging. Few schools take advantage of 3D stereoscopic learning tools in anatomy education and clinically relevant anatomical variations when teaching anatomy. A new approach to teaching anatomy includes use of computed tomography angiography (CTA) images of the head and neck to create clinically relevant 3D stereoscopic virtual models. These high resolution images of the arteries can be used in unique and innovative ways to create 3D virtual models of the vasculature as a tool for teaching anatomy. Blood vessel 3D models are presented stereoscopically in a virtual reality environment, can be rotated 360° in all axes, and magnified according to need. In addition, flexible views of internal structures are possible. Images are displayed in a stereoscopic mode, and students view images in a small theater-like classroom while wear...
Anatomical sciences education, Jan 23, 2015
Histology is a core subject in the anatomical sciences where learners are challenged to interpret... more Histology is a core subject in the anatomical sciences where learners are challenged to interpret two-dimensional (2D) information (gained from histological sections) to extrapolate and understand the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of cells, tissues, and organs. In gross anatomical education 3D models and learning tools have been associated with improved learning outcomes, but similar tools have not been created for histology education to visualize complex cellular structure-function relationships. This study outlines steps in creating a virtual 3D model of the renal corpuscle from serial, semi-thin, histological sections obtained from epoxy resin-embedded kidney tissue. The virtual renal corpuscle model was generated by digital segmentation to identify: Bowman's capsule, nuclei of epithelial cells in the parietal capsule, afferent arteriole, efferent arteriole, proximal convoluted tubule, distal convoluted tubule, glomerular capillaries, podocyte nuclei, nuclei of extraglome...
Anatomical sciences education
Elevated spatial visualization ability (Vz) is thought to influence surgical skill acquisition an... more Elevated spatial visualization ability (Vz) is thought to influence surgical skill acquisition and performance. Current research suggests that stereo visualization technology and its association with skill performance may confer perceptual advantages. This is of particular interest in laparoscopic skill training, where stereo visualization may confer learning advantages to novices of variant Vz. This study explored laparoscopic skill performance scores in novices with variable spatial ability utilizing stereoscopic and traditional monoscopic visualization paradigms. Utilizing the McGill Inanimate System for Teaching and Evaluating Laparoscopic Skills (MISTELS) scoring protocol it was hypothesized that individuals with high spatial visualization ability (HVz) would achieve higher overall and individual MISTELS task scores as compared to low spatial visualization ability (LVz) counterparts. Further, we also hypothesized that a difference would exist between HVz and LVz individual scor...
Anatomical sciences education, Jan 16, 2014
The discrete anatomy of the eye's intricate oculomotor system is conceptually difficult for n... more The discrete anatomy of the eye's intricate oculomotor system is conceptually difficult for novice students to grasp. This is problematic given that this group of muscles represents one of the most common sites of clinical intervention in the treatment of ocular motility disorders and other eye disorders. This project was designed to develop a digital, interactive, three-dimensional (3D) model of the muscles and cranial nerves of the oculomotor system. Development of the 3D model utilized data from the Visible Human Project (VHP) dataset that was refined using multiple forms of 3D software. The model was then paired with a virtual user interface in order to create a novel 3D learning tool for the human oculomotor system. Development of the virtual eye model was done while attempting to adhere to the principles of cognitive load theory (CLT) and the reduction of extraneous load in particular. The detailed approach, digital tools employed, and the CLT guidelines are described here...
Anatomical sciences education, Jan 15, 2014
Competition is a key element in many educational games and is often adopted by educators in an ef... more Competition is a key element in many educational games and is often adopted by educators in an effort to motivate and excite their students. Yet, the use of academic competition in educational institutions remains the subject of much debate. Opponents argue that academic competition causes an increase in student anxiety and divides their attention. However, if the contexts of academic competition are defined, could the inclusion of a game-like competition in a university course be a viable and beneficial method of engaging students? Students (n = 67) were recruited from an undergraduate human anatomy course at Western University. Using a crossover design, students were exposed to a competitive tournament either at the time of their first term test or second term test. The anatomical knowledge of participating students was assessed prior to the start of the study using a baseline anatomy test. Following treatment with an online competitive anatomy tournament, student's term test ...
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Papers by Timothy D Wilson