The Indiana University School of Medicine - Muncie at Ball State University provides education for its students that is equivalent with that provided in Indianapolis in scope, content, and excellence. Students who pass their first and second year courses at the Muncie Center should be prepared adequately to pass part 1 of the USMLE National Boards and should have the knowledge base needed to be ready for the clinical years of their medical training.
- The IUSM-Muncie has implemented a competency-based learning system throughout the first and second-year courses in cooperation with the Indianapolis campus.
- To increase active learning and capitalize on the small class sizes at the IUSM-Muncie, most classes use inductive learning experiences as major portions of the courses. Faculty who need additional training to implement active learning techniques will be provided opportunities to receive appropriate training.
- Faculty are working with their home departments in Indianapolis to help establish core curricula where none currently exist. Courses are tailored to make 80% of the course content conform to the core curriculum, and all of the core curriculum in each course is taught.
- All courses use a standardized comprehensive exam at the conclusion of the course to assess student gains in learning. USMLE "shelf exams" will be used to standardize student performances against a national mean even when statewide internal-generated comprehensive exams are administered.
- To prepare students for standardized exams, exams throughout the courses emphasize the set of question formats that are deemed acceptable by the NBME as reflected in the USMLE - Step 1 National Exams.
- Faculty are encouraged to utilize innovative teaching techniques and cutting edge technology in their courses. For example:
- Students are encouraged to use computer-based technology as part of their learning experiences.
- Faculty are encouraged to post materials on the Web for easy student access.
- Faculty are encouraged to use computer-based methods in their instruction. Faculty who need training to accomplish this will be provided such training.
- Courses taught during the fall semester of the first year use coordinated exams to help students develop lifelong learning patterns.
- Courses taught during the spring semester of the first year utilize a block schedule, with only a single course being taught during each block. This allows the students to immerse themselves in each course, allows use of more inductive methods for teaching, and introduces students to the type of scheduling they will utilize when they enter their clinical clerkships.
- State of the art instructional equipment will be installed in a new facility being constructed to house the IUSM-Muncie. This equipment and software will allow the faculty to maximally utilize computer-based technology in classroom instruction and for student active learning experiences.
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