Individualized Formative Assessment in Online Module Improves Learning of Glomerular Filtration

While capillary filtration is a fundamental physiology topic, students report that this material is difficult to master. In addition, overall exam performance in related courses does not correlate with performance on questions regarding capillary filtration. A module that presents capillary filtration in the context of glomerular filtration has been developed and incorporated into the curriculum of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology renal pathophysiology course. Water is a major constituent of the human body. Exchange of fluids between different body systems, therefore, is an important process to understand. Capillary filtration plays a fundamental role in all physiology1. This is a complex topic, requiring understanding of foundations in fluid and vascular mechanics. These topics are important but have generally proven difficult for students in medical physiology classes to master. To relay the material in a renal physiology class we develop a module concerning glomerular filtration. The glomerulus is a capillary bed that acts as the main filtration unit of the kidney. The module is based on the principles outlined in How People Learn2. These include creating a learning-centered environment, focusing on core concepts and big ideas in the learning environment, bein