Visualization Technologies for Learning and Teaching Veterinary Acarology and Entomology.

Abstract

Educational technologies are tools and resources used for improving teaching, learning, and creative inquiry. Visualization technologies (VTs) fall within this category and comprise a high diversity of strategies from simple infographics to complex forms of visual data analysis. Traditionally, parasitology has been a challenging subject in medical and veterinary degree courses due to the high number of scientific names, morphological characters, and complex life cycles, among other factors. This has been reinforced by conventional teaching methods with limited innovation strategies. Here we present the design and evaluation of an interactive album of veterinary acarology and entomology, "Álbum Interactivo de Acarología y Entomología Veterinaria" (AIAEV). This tool was assessed through three strategies: (1) a mean grade comparison between veterinary parasitology classes before and after VT implementation, (2) a system usability scale (SUS), and (3) a student/user satisfaction index. The grade value was higher in the class after implementation, the SUS total score was 80.05 (excellent), and 93.75% considered it a useful tool. This is the first study aimed at investigating the use of VTs to teach veterinary acarology and entomology and shows promising results to develop and implement digital technologies in this and other veterinary curricula disciplines.