MA.MU. (multisensory maieutic method) methodology and laboratory activities of the radiographer

Abstract

Purpose

This work is focused on an educational project regarding the ability to learn radiological techniques based on the application of the Maieutico Multisensoriale® method. It is so called because the experimental design has been structured to give scientific foundation to a pedagogical technique based on sensory stimuli, according to a maieutic teaching method - multisensorial (from now on referred as Ma.Mu.). The authors intend to show how this approach supports and encourages the learning of professional skills in radiological techniques. The results of laboratory activities based on this new approach were compared, the one based on lessons rich in sensory stimuli and the one based on a classical approach, usually devoid of such stimuli. In this text, when reference is made to a "traditional" teaching method or based on simple "frontal teaching", it will imply the "classical" teaching method, in which the source of knowledge resides in the teacher and in his ability to convey the contents and to stimulate the interest of the learners. The Ma.Mu.® method

The process of building learning, only apparently intuitive, is subjected to deconstruction, and it shows an important role of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP): it could be then implied that the construction of effective learning is also based on skills learned subconsciously. In this context, maieutic techniques of the Ma.Mu.® method can facilitate their migration to a conscious level.

The trial has been carried where tuition of RT/Radiographers (TSRM in Italian) is implemented, adapting the more specific aspects of the didactics to be carried out, and maintaining the validity of its more qualifying aspects also in other formative fields, with the intent of:

• Demonstrate the validity of a didactic-formative approach based on visual, tactile, auditory stimuli;


• Demonstrate how a maieutic method, integrated with a multisensory approach, contributes to the increment of abilities and technical-operational skills in radiological techniques.

Method

The Ma.Mu.® method was developed as a tool for teachers, involved in the training of aspiring RT . It has been experimented over 8 months, from January to September 2019, involving all the students attending the first year of the Degree course in RT (28), and randomly subdividing them into a group "A", called "experimental", and a group "B", called "non experimental".

Special laboratories have been designed to compare the traditional or classic method, in which the learning of radiological techniques is based entirely on frontal lessons, with an innovative method of learning that can be defined as maieutic because of its ability to create in the learner an imprinting about the quality of the radiological and multisensorial image. The purposes is to train and enhance the sensory skills of students to the advantage of a better development of their professional technical skills.

Conclusions

The Ma.Mu.® method. has proved a valid guide in the transmission of the concept of image quality and technical-practical activities to students, who should be prepared following the suggestions provided by this, identifying the "sensory" of the student among the cognitive requirements indispensable to the daily work activity. Touch, hearing and sight can be usefully trained and enhanced regardless of the individual prevailing representational system: the acquisition of consciousness of one’s body as an instrument of knowledge is therefore an important aid and complement for the acquisition of curricular knowledge.

The Ma.Mu.® method is an educational support in the training of the trainees and the professional workers, and appears to be a useful support to teachers and tutors as an alternative to the mere experiential approach.