Fun and games might not be the first characterization that comes to mind for a Systems Anatomy class, but making it so is part of teaching assistant Rana Khankan's classroom strategy. For Systems Anatomy, the first core course for Physiological Science majors, the game is a version of Twister. Students quickly choose a muscle on a cadaver, then take turns answering questions about its name, function, and location.

The game is effective, Rana says, because "it incorporates a time restraint as well as a kinematic component, helps students consolidate information, and emphasizes the relation between the details and the big picture." In Life Sciences 2 (Cells, Tissues, and Organs), the game is Jeopardy, with an interactive PowerPoint display simulating the TV game show. Other teaching assistants began to use the game, too, and "a healthy competition between students" was the outcome, Rana says.

Besides the games, students recall her classes for two things. "She always had good jokes to tell that helped me remember a lot of facts," says one. Also, she pushes students to answer their questions among themselves, offering hints but refusing to provide the answer, a strategy developed doing volunteer work at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. "I have found that it is always more rewarding when students arrive at an answer on their own, rather than being given one," she says. "One of the most satisfying things is having students proclaim their understanding of a concept, on their exams or by 'Eureka!' moments."

Besides the usual in-person office hours, Rana also holds online hours where students can reach her by instant messenger. "A common messenger program allows me to illustrate images using a whiteboard within the chat window," she says. The whiteboard allows students to interact with her, and "group chats" have also been useful.

Rana likes to salt her explanations of biological and physiological concepts with real-life anecdotes from her previous work as an emergency room volunteer, showing how anatomy, for example, can be used to resolve injury and illness. Formerly associate manager of the Santa Monica-UCLA Hospital Care Extender program, she still enjoys the opportunity to recruit students who want a taste of what a career in medicine might be like. "I enjoy talking to students about their future plans," she says, "and hearing how my classes have helped them solidify their aspirations or establish new ones."

Rana is taking a break from teaching for her first year of doctoral studies in molecular, cellular, and integrative physiology. Her research looks at olfactory ensheathing glia, which have been shown to enhance motor neuron regeneration in paraplegic rats, work that has potential application to spinal cord injuries.

Published in Winter 2010, Graduate Quarterly