In teaching epidemiology, confounding is a difficult topic. The authors designed active learning objects (LO) based on manipulable three-dimensional (3D) plots to facilitate understanding of confounding. The 3D LOs help illustrate of how confounding can occur, how it generates bias and how to adjust for it. For the development of the LOs, guidelines were formulated based on epidemiology and theories of instructional design. These included integrating the conceptual and empirical aspects: the causal relationships believed to be operating in the study population (conceptual aspect) and data-oriented associations (empirical aspect). Other guidelines based on theories of instructional design included: actively engage the students, use visual methods when possible, and motivate the students about the importance of the topic. Students gave the method strong positive evaluations. Experts in epidemiology agreed that the 3D LOs apply generally accepted scientific views on confounding. Based on their experiences, the authors think that the 3D plots can be useful addition in the teaching of confounding. The article includes links and a downloadable file that provide a demonstration of the 3D LO-based teaching materials.
展开▼
机译：在流行病学教学中，混淆是一个困难的话题。作者基于可操作的三维（3D）图设计了主动学习对象（LO），以促进对混淆的理解。 3D LO有助于说明混杂如何发生，如何产生偏差以及如何进行调整。对于LO的发展，基于流行病学和教学设计理论制定了指南。其中包括整合概念和经验方面：因果关系被认为在研究人群中发挥作用（概念方面）和面向数据的关联（经验方面）。其他基于教学设计理论的指导方针包括：积极地与学生互动，在可能的情况下使用视觉方法，并激发学生对主题重要性的认识。学生对该方法给予了强烈的正面评价。流行病学专家一致认为3D LO在混淆方面应用了公认的科学观点。根据他们的经验，作者认为3D图可以在混淆教学中有用。本文包括链接和可下载文件，它们提供了基于3D LO的教学材料的演示。
展开▼
