April Hatcher

Dr. Richardson-Hatcher is a member of the Special Title faculty series that focuseson innovative CN V Skywalkteaching strategies inanatomical education for undergraduate and medicalprofessional students. Currently, herscholarly activity involves the use of Second Life™ technology, a web-based virtual world, for the development of 3D anatomy models and for a new undergraduate course titled ANA 309: An Introduction to Regional Anatomy. Dr. Richardson-Hatcher uses 3D models of the cranial nerves to supplement her lectures during class and as a study tool that students can utilize independently or in group study after class. Cranial nerves III, V, VII, and IX are displayed in a “Cranial Nerve Skywalk” above the University of Kentucky’s virtual island in Second Life (landmark is http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/University%20of%20KY/123/40/1001). This project was a collaborative effort with Matt Hazzard (University of Kentucky) and Dr. German Ramirez (University of Manitoba). The nerve branches are color-coded (i.e. somatomotor is red, etc.) to illustrate the particular fiber types included in each cranial nerve. In particular, pre and post-parasympathetic fibers are depicted to facilitate the students’ understanding of parasympathetic pathways in the head and how some of these fibers “hitch-a-ride” with branches of the cranial nerve V (Trigeminal nerve) to reach their targets.gRAT In addition to 3D models for lectures, Dr. Richardson-Hatcher designed the online 5 credit-hour course ANA 309: An Introduction to Regional Anatomy for undergraduates who desire furtherpreparation for their professional anatomy courses. Students enrolled in ANA 309 study anatomy content independently and then convene together virtually in an anatomy lab on UK’s virtual island in Second Life once a week to participate in a Team-Based Learning (TBL) exercise. The students teleport to their group rooms where they take a group quiz over basic anatomy content and then discuss relevant clinical case studies before returning to the main anatomy lab. After returning to the main anatomy lab, groups simultaneously report their answers via a virtual letter panel and then justify their answers to the class. The TBL method is designed to foster intra and inter-team discussion, and the group interaction is facilitated entirely in Second Life. The virtual anatomy lab is located on UK’s island in Second Life. Dr. Richardson-Hatcher is also involved in incorporating Team-Based Learning into Main Lab Lettersundergraduate and medical professionalcourses at UK. She directs the GraduateCertificate in the Anatomical Sciences Instruction and the Anatomy Mentor Program for 1st year medical students.

Richardson-Hatcher, A., Hazzard, M., Gazave, C., Bentley, C., and Brueckner-Collins, J. 2013. 3D Virtual Team-Based Learning in an Online Regional Anatomy Course for Pre-Healthcare Professional Students. Poster presentation. 12th Annual Meeting of Team-Based Learning Collaborative. San Diego, CA. Richardson –Hatcher, A., Hazzard, M., Ramirez, G., and Brown, P. 2012. A Cranial Nerve Skywalk: student perceptions of a 3D tutorial of cranial nerves III, V, VII, and IX in a virtual platform. Platform presentation. Clinical Anatomy 25: 948. 29th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. St. George’s University, Grenada. Richardson, A., Schonwetter, D., and Ramirez-Yanez, German. 2012. Engaging dental student learning through Second Life™: an innovative method to teach anatomy. Platform Presentation. American Dental Education Association, Orlando, FL. Richardson, A., Dolan, T., and Brown, P. 2012. Using 3D Technology to enhance understanding of anatomical relationships. 2012. Platform presentation. Third Annual STEM Conference (Education Infusion into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY... Richardson, A., Hazzard, M., Challman, S., Morgenstein, A., and Brueckner, J. 2011. A “Second Life” for gross anatomy: implications for multi-user virtual environments in teaching the anatomical sciences. Ana Sci Ed. 4:39-43. Richardson, A., Hensley, M., Thomas, J., and Brueckner-Collins, J. 2011. The Anatomy Mentor Program: a reflection of student-directed learning. FASEB J 25: 493.4. Poster and roundtable discussion. 123rd Annual Meeting of American Association of Anatomists, Washington, DC. Richardson, A., Hazzard, M, Bentley, C. and Brueckner-Collins, J. 2011. The use of Second Life for anatomy education: an introduction to regional anatomy for undergraduates. Platform presentation. Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education. International conference in Second Life™ www.vwbpe.org/. Richardson, A., Hazzard, M., and Brueckner, J.2010 A novel use of Second Life to teach the Pterygopalatine fossa to medical students. FASEB J 24: 176.4. Platform presentation. 122th Annual Meeting of American Association of Anatomists, Anaheim, CA.