Anatomy of Teaching

(and vice versa)

Thirty years ago, Lewis Milner accepted a position to teach Anatomy at NCTC.

The textbooks were in black and white. Tests were prepared on typewriters. You had to reserve an overhead projector in advance so it was available because not every classroom
had one.

Over thirty years, almost everything has changed about teaching – except the content, “Basic anatomy doesn’t change. We still teach fundamental stuff. But the way we teach has changed dramatically.”

Today the textbooks are printed in color, the color of his hair is a little lighter, and even the name of the College has changed, but his commitment to his students is unwavering. “They’re just as motivated. They’re excited to be working in healthcare. But their lives are so much more complicated now. In the late 70s, it was rare to have a student who worked while in school. Now almost all of them work at least part-time. Some even have full-time jobs.”
As the College has grown, more programs have been added which require students to have a firm grasp of anatomy. Classes that used to have 35 students now have 120 or more reflecting growth in continuing demand for graduates of Health Sciences programs throughout the country.

At the same time, technology is increasing the amount of information available for instruction. “Our anatomy text is more than twice as thick as it was thirty years ago. We have CDs, and countless other technological options that can just be overwhelming to students. The trick is finding what works and using it.” One thing that seems to work is good old-fashioned, interactive lecturing. “I spend a lot of time thinking about what I’m going to say, and how I’m going to say it. When a student gets to know me, they also connect to the information.” Lew continued, “When they’re more engaged and feel connected, I think they have more success. Technology doesn’t always promote that positive connection.”

What does he see in the future? “I don’t see students’ lives getting any easier. With the current economy, they’ll probably get even more complex. And so will their jobs. The jobs our graduates get are faster paced, and more demanding than ever before. The patients that were hospitalized in the 70s would likely be sent home today. There’s more outpatient care than ever, and a real push to shorten patient stays in the hospital as much as possible.”

Regarding the growth of NC State, Lew offered, “I don’t think anyone can do the first two years of college better than we do. We prepare students to get good jobs and to provide valuable services to patients in need. I’m proud of each and every one of my students.”