Now it's over to you: a workbook approach.

During the oncology topic within the third year 'Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2' module (CPT2) of the MPharm at Robert Gordon University (RGU), it quickly became apparent that students had difficulty in placing complex concepts into context. As a response to these identified learning difficulties, a just-in-time, step-by-step guided workbook approach was developed using common e-learning software. The outcome was a person-centred case study, signposting the students to information they already have and aiding them to put it into context. The intention was to enable students to critically appraise the information provided and subsequently drive their own learning, rather than simply provide them with the solutions. Students should perceive their lecturers not as a transmitter of knowledge, but more as a facilitator who is guiding their learning. In constructivist learning theory, students should draw on existing knowledge, beliefs, and skills and build on these, allowing them to synthesize new understanding from prior learning and new information. The opportunity is then open for the students to create their own case studies and workbook around the solid tumours and haematological malignancies covered within the course. The basic cognitive competences that the students (future pharmacists) should successfully demonstrate were described in Bloom's (1956) taxonomy – namely knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. In tandem with these cognitive skills, students should be able to reflect on their own learning experience. Pharmacists' mandatory continuous professional development (CPD) is based on Kolb (1984) and Gibbs (1988) theories on reflection, and both these cycles were used to develop this software. These learning cycles propose that theory and practice enrich each other in a never-ending circle. In this model, students' learn more effectively if they are actively involved in the learning process than if they are passive receivers. By providing the conditions for students to learn, their learning is deep rather than mere regurgitation

VirtualArm. [Educational resource]

This virtual educational resource consisted of a three-dimensional computer model of a human arm, presented alongside text-based information in an interactive format using software from Articulate ( https://articulate.com/ ). The aim of this resource was to address feedback from students who were having difficulty visualising the different layers of the skin when learning about the integumentary system

Integrative physiology: the integumentary system. [Case study]

This case study discusses the development of a three-dimensional e-Learning software package, designed to help teach students on a first-year "Integrative Physiology" module about the skin and integumentary system

I can step outside my comfort zone.

On embarking upon such a multifactorial, professional degree as Pharmacy, students often find it difficult to meld the scientific- and practice-based components of the course. In final year of the undergraduate Masters of Pharmacy degree (MPharm) within the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences at Robert Gordon University (RGU), students undertake a research project within a specific area. The aims of this study were to explore the effectiveness of a novel practice based approach to a biomedical science project, to identify elements of difficulty in the process, and to explore students' perceptions and reflections. Final year students were assigned to perform a systematic literature review working within a defined area of pharmacovigilance. Students were given individual ownership of the research question and were able to choose a topic of interest. Following the successful completion of the assignment, students were invited to explore their attitudes and views of the project and reflect on the process through a focus group using a talking wall method. The findings clearly identified a shift in mindset from predominantly negative opinions initially to an overwhelming positive viewpoint

Differential regulation of CYP4Z1 mRNA in human breast cancer cell lines.

CYP4Z1 is a novel cytochrome P450 enzyme that is preferentially expressed in normal breast and neoplastic breast tissue. This poster reported on the results of a study in which an in vitro cell model was used to define the mechanisms regulating CYP4Z1 mRNA expression, by exposing oestrogen receptor positive cell lines to agonists of three independent nuclear receptor pathways: the progesterone receptor (PGR); peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPARα); and the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR)

Exploring just-in-time teaching 3D development as a tool for enhancing knowledge and understanding.

The integumentary system (skin) is the first line of defence in the body and part of the innate immune system. Within first-year modules on Pharmaceutical Biology and Integrative Physiology in the Masters of Pharmacy degree at Robert Gordon University (RGU), several software tools were used to support both lecture and coursework material for the immune and integumentary systems. However, students had difficulty visualizing the various layers of the skin and how they become affected by different skin lesions. As a response to these identified learning difficulties, a just-in-time teaching three-dimensional e-learning object was developed using free-to-use 3D CAD packages, alongside common elearning software. The outcome was a virtualised human arm equipped to illustrate and label primary or secondary skin lesions whilst allowing spatial manipulation of the arm. This allowed students to manipulate and identify the specific skin layers involved. Evaluation of student engagement and learning was favourable, with students reflecting that they had a better understanding of the topic. Initial findings from this study highlight the benefits of quick, low-cost 3D production processes as just-in-time teaching elearning tools that have a positive impact on students' performance

Using online communities to develop IPE in practice.

Interprofessional education has been perceived as problematic to teach, because of the logistics involved in managing large groups of students. The two universities in Aberdeen (Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen) decided to co-develop an online module that would combine face-to-face practical experience with computer-mediated discussion. Students interacted in interprofessional groups of 30, working to complete tasks depending on the year and course of study. These groups have the potential to stay together for the duration of the students' courses, helping to establish virtual learning communities that facilitate informal and serendipitous learning

Use of CYP1B1 inhibitors for treating cancer.

CYP1B1 proteins and their role in metabolising or inactivating anti-cancer drugs are disclosed, together with compositions for treating cancer comprising a substance capable of inhibiting CYP1B1 protein and an anti-cancer drug (e.g. docetaxel, paclitaxel, flutamide, tamoxifen, mitoxantrone, doxorubicin or daunomycin)

Using IPE to develop understanding of sensitive issues.

This poster provides an overview of a project that aimed to raise awareness of female genital mutilation. The poster summarises the context, objectives, methodology and impact of the project, which was undertaken in 2015 at Robert Gordon University, exploiting interprofessional education and third-sector expertise

Metabolically active cytochrome P450 CYP1B1 in solid tumours: a novel target for chemotherapeutic intervention.

Cytochrome P450 CYP1B1 is a member of a superfamily of haemoproteins that are central to the oxidative metabolism of a wide variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds. Several of these enzymes have an established role in the metabolic bio-transformation of a variety of anti-cancer drugs. In this study, we demonstrated both CYP1B1 and CPR activity in the microsomal fraction of ovarian and kidney tumours