Anatomy and Physiology 2e
I am comparing this text with two Human Anatomy and Physiology textbooks I have used. This online text covers all relevant topics for a 200 level Human A & P class. Overall, I found the text comprehensive and easy to read. The book is geared toward novice students to the subject matter, and does a great job conveying complex material to the reader. Difficult concepts or processes are simplified to make the subject matter easier to understand for the reader, but sometimes at the expense of thoroughness. The text covers each subject area appropriately. Images and diagrams are used appropriately to help explain the material, however, more pictures, figures, diagrams, tables, flow charts, and the likes could be used instead of lengthy descriptions, to address different learning styles of readers, and to make it a more interesting read (see example under Clarity section) . The preface reveals that the book is divided into units and subunits. The division into chapters by fundamental A & P texts seems more helpful in organizing the vast amount of information covered, and would greatly improve this online version.
The text is mostly accurate and seems unbiased. There is one figure on “Negative Feedback” in the beginning of the text that conveys the wrong and misleading message in that the output of sweat glands seems to further increase body temperature, instead of cooling the body to counteract the stimulus (Figure …). I found it strange that, mostly, figure or table numbers are left out in the text, which makes the wording of sentences sound awkward. For example “Table lists the difference between…”, or “As seen in Figure, cardiac muscle is striated…”. Most figures or tables do have numbers assigned to them, but those numbers are not reflected in the text. However, there are hyperlinks to all figures throughout the text, therefore, when clicking on the “Figure” in the text, the reader is taken to the figure referred to. This, I imagine, would make it hard for an instructor to refer to a specific figure, table or diagram during lecture. If units were divided into chapters, and not subunits, it might be less confusing to everyone. Once readers click on the “Figure” link, they have to scroll back up to the text to resume reading the chapter…. This can be very cumbersome to the reader. Also, it would be helpful to create hyperlinks between different chapters, especially between the chapters on acidosis/alkalosis with previous chapters on the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems.
The book provides good examples of clinical applications to most topics in the text but also by providing links to other online resources. Sometimes, these links do not work. However, even if the authors keep updating the information once a URL is obsolete, it is a good tool for sharing new knowledge in the subject matter, for giving interesting clinical examples, and for sharing the latest news in medical research.
The book is aimed to provide a clear, easy to read text on the subject matter. A glossary at the end of each section aids in explaining terminology to the novice. Expected learning outcomes are listed in the beginning of each chapter, and practice questions, as well as critical thinking questions are listed at the end of each chapter. As mentioned above, sometimes, the simplified versions of complex pathways or processes are at the expense of thoroughness. However, it focuses well on conveying the knowledge relevant for new students of A & P. Images and diagrams are used appropriately to help explain the material, however, more pictures, figures, diagrams, tables, flow charts, and the likes could be used instead of lengthy descriptions, to address different learning styles of readers, and to make it a more interesting read. One example is the chapter on the action potential in the nervous system, endocrine regulation of the kidney, as well as regulation of fluid volume and composition in the renal system. The explanation of the countercurrent exchange system in the kidney is very simplified, however, a video is provided for further understanding. ‘Everyday connection’ sequences add to the further understanding and application of the material to real life, and are very interesting and relevant.
The book is consistent in terms of formatting. It shows sometimes that different authors worked on different sections of the book, which can be a problem especially when chapters discuss a theme that was already introduced or discussed in a previous section written by a different author. However, these differences are very subtle. Sometimes, there is a missing consistency between images or tables used, for example in the section that covers facial muscles. Hardly any muscles are labeled in the image but are mentioned in the following table. Most tables showing actions, origins, insertions, etc. of muscles have the same order, except for the table on muscles that move the hand, which has a different order and format.
The modularity is fine. Lots of scrolling is necessary if readers decide to not print the whole text.
The book seems to sometimes have big blocks of lengthy text, which could be broken up by providing more images, diagrams, flow charts etc. that are individually downloadable or printable. This would break up long sections and help readers understand the material better, and it would allow students to gear the text toward their individual learning styles. It would be easier if each theme would have a chapter, and if figures, tables, etc. were numbered according to their specific chapters, like they are in regular A & P textbooks. It makes it easier for teachers to refer to a specific figure, table, etc.
There are no significant interface issues. What I found most challenging in terms of keeping buoyant in reading this text is the lack of clear numbering and organization, as well as the interconnectivity between different chapters. Especially with an online text, there is an ability of creating links between chapters, to refer back to previous chapters in order to further the understanding of the reader, and to provide a comprehensive guide to the subject matter.
I found that there were few grammar issues in the text. Mostly, I found that it was strange not to have figures etc. labeled in the text, which made sentences sound awkward.
No issues in terms of insensitivities. More of the interesting examples of what makes us all different could have been used, for example the evolution of skin color, body hair etc., because it makes it more interesting and applicable.
This is a great resource for students of A & P. I think that the text is written well, but I would like to see more visuals, flow charts, diagrams, and other images that facilitate the understanding of the material to the reader, and that address different learning styles of students.