The A&P Professor

About The A&P Professor

Explore human anatomy and physiology (A&P) teaching and learning with host Kevin Patton. An experienced professor, textbook author, and mentor, Kevin is a recognized leader in A&P teaching. The A&P Professor updates science content and provides practical teaching advice. Want some ideas to supercharge your A&P course? How about some support from a fellow A&P professor? This is the podcast for you!

Publisher

Kevin Patton

Category

education · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Jan 2018

Latest episode

26 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

195 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Nov 2025

   Steve Sullivan on Teaching A&P Bit by Bit: Podcasts, Digital Learning, & Keeping It Human | TAPP 156

   Steve Sullivan joins me for a lively conversation about podcasting, tutor videos, and digital A&P teaching. We explore how he humanizes online learning, why students crave multiple approaches, and what he's learned after 23 years of teaching. From LMS-independent course design to global podcast reach, Steve shares practical strategies and inspiring stories that can help any A&P instructor evolve their teaching. 0:00:00 | Introduction 0:00:49 | This Episode 0:02:28 | Becoming Steve Sullivan 0:06:41 | Your Teaching Voice* 0:07:30 | Why Start a Podcast? 0:14:03 | Farewell to TAPP ed* 0:15:45 | Growing a Podcast & Growing Through It 0:19:56 | Authors Alert * 0:21:05 | Digital Teaching That Actually Helps 0:30:59 | When Our Tools Disappear* 0:32:48 | A&P Tools That Fit Any Textbook 0:48:36 | Collaboration Audit* 0:49:14 | What 23 Years of A&P Reveals 1:01:10 | Innovation Check * 1:01:44 | Staying Connected * Breaks ★ If you cannot see or activate the audio player, go to: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-156.html (https://theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-156.html) ❓ Please take the anonymous survey: theAPprofessor.org/survey ☝️ Questions & Feedback: 1-833-LION-DEN (1-833-546-6336) 📰 Get the once-or-twice-weekly TAPP Science & Education Updates theAPprofessor.org/updates "Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational." (George Couros) This Episode 1.5 minutes Kevin introduces Steve Sullivan, our special guest for this episode. Becoming Steve Sullivan 4 minutes Steve introduces how he became an A&P instructor, beginning with chiropractic training, tutoring peers, and eventually stepping into the classroom. His path reflects that mix many of us recognize—clinical experience, a spark for teaching, and an opportunity that suddenly opens. He shares what drew him in, what kept him hooked, and why A&P has become the center of his professional life. Your Teaching Voice * 1 minute A brief moment to reflect on the tone and personality we bring into our teaching—whether in class or in audio—and how a small shift in our teaching voice can make learning feel warmer and more inviting. Why Start a Podcast? 6.5 minutes Steve explains how his long-standing love of podcasts led him to create Anatomy & Physiology: Bit by Bit. Starting with simple tools meant for his own students, the show soon reached thousands around the world. Steve talks about early inspirations, favorite podcasts, and why audio gives students a flexible, motivating way to tackle hard content while living their daily lives. Farewell to TAPP ed * 1.5 minutes A short update announcing the official wrap-up of the TAPP ed micro-credentials, why the program is ending, and how listeners can still access their badges through 2025. Growing a Podcast & Growing Through It 4 minutes Here Steve talks about the surprising reach of his show, the long break he took, and how student feedback pulled him back. We explore the challenges of maintaining a creative project during COVID and how stepping away can renew energy. His reflections highlight the emotional side of teaching—motivation, burnout, renewal—and the growing global audience for A&P learning. Authors Alert * 1 minute A quick notification for authors about the Anthropic court settlement and how to check whether their textbooks, lab manuals, or scholarly works were used in AI training without permission. Digital Teaching That Actually Helps 10 minutes Steve describes the evolution of his digital teaching from narrated PowerPoints to polished animated tutor videos. He explains why multiple modalities matter, how students benefit from short targeted videos, and what pushed him to build his own website to escape constant LMS migrations. His story offers practical strategies we can all adopt to give students better access and ourselves more control. When Our Tools Disappear * 2 minutes A reminder that tech tools come and go — including the TAPP app — reinforcing the importance of flexibility and resilience in our teaching toolkits. A&P Tools That Fit Any Textbook 16 minutes We talk about the A&P Digital Suite and how it became a book-agnostic set of tools. Steve explains why instructors wanted digital resources that weren't tied to a single textbook and how the suite supports OER courses as well. We discuss lab simulations, adaptive questions, and accuracy review—a useful look at how digital tools grow into teaching ecosystems far beyond one classroom. Collaboration Audit * 0.5 minute A moment to think about reaching outside our usual circles for collaboration, and a gentle prompt to reconnect with another A&P educator to share ideas. What 23 Years of A&P Reveals 12 minutes Steve reflects on what he wishes he had known earlier: the power of giving students resources upfront, the challenge of teaching combined A&P without ever taking it, and how much teaching evolves. We explore shifts in online A&P, simulation labs, resistance to change, and the importance of communities like HAPS. It's a thoughtful end to a wide-ranging conversation that celebrates growth and experimentation. Innovation Check * 0.5 minute An invitation to reflect on one teaching idea you've been curious about but haven't yet tried—and what might happen if you simply gave it a test-drive. * Breaks Links Anatomy & Physiology: Bit by Bit (podcast) Student-facing A&P podcast by Steve Sullivan AandP.info/850ce0 (https://aandp.info/850ce0) McGraw Hill Connect – A&P Digital Suite Digital courseware including tutor videos and lab simulations AandP.info/c76750 (https://aandp.info/c76750) HAPS – Human Anatomy & Physiology Society Professional community for A&P faculty theAPprofessor.org/haps (https://theAPprofessor.org/haps) Northeast College of Health Sciences Online MS program in Human Anatomy & Physiology Instruction (HAPI) theAPprofessor.org/hapi (https://theAPprofessor.org/hapi) TAPP ed (retired) and badge access What we built, what we learned, and how to access badges theAPprofessor.org/education TAPP Podcast no-cost subscription options Ways to listen now that the standalone app is retired theAPprofessor.org/podcast-subscribe TAA Anthropic Settlement Information Guidance for authors regarding potential compensation www.taaonline.net/anthropic-settlement Revisionist History Malcolm Gladwell's podcast recommended by Steve Sullivan AandP.info/9b3291 (https://aandp.info/9b3291) ★ SomeTAPP episodes and related resources related to this episode's topics The Surprising Power of Digital Textbooks | TAPP 76 Give Your Course a Half Flip With a Full Twist | Episode 6 Textbooks to Slides: IP Attorney Brenda Ulrich on Legal Image Use in Anatomy & Physiology | TAPP 150 Our Teaching Persona in Anatomy & Physiology Class | TAPP 137 ★ List of TAPP podcasts (sortable list with titles, links to episode pages, and topics) theAPprofessor.org/podcast-list.html ★ TAPP Jukebox (a fun way to browse and play TAPP episodes) theAPprofessor.org/podcast-jukebox.html People Production: Aileen Park (announcer),  Andrés Rodriguez (theme composer,  recording artist),  Kevin Patton (writer, editor, choreographer, producer, host). Not People Robotic (AI) audio leveling/processing by Auphonic.com, initial draft transcript by Rev.com (https://try.rev.com/Cw2nZ), and the content, organization, spelling, grammar, style, etc., of this episode and notes are assisted by various bots, such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and QuillBot. If the hyperlinks here are not active, go to TAPPradio.org to find the episode page. ★ More details at the episode page: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-156.html ★ Transcript available in the transcript box: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-156.html ★ Need help accessing resources locked behind a paywall? Check out this advice from Episode 32 to get what you need! my-ap.us/paywall Tools & Resources ★ TAPP Science & Education Updates: theAPprofessor.org/updates Follow The A&P Professor on  Facebook, Mastodon (https://qoto.org/@theAPprofessor), TikTok,LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/theapprofessor), Blogger (https://theapprofessor.blogspot.com/), Substack (https://theAPprofessor.org/updates), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theapprofessor/) @theAPprofessor The A&P Professor® and Lion Den® are registered trademarks of Lion Den Inc. (Kevin Patton)

2. 

   24 Sept 2025

   Dual Enrollment in A&P: Murray Jensen on Rigor, Pedagogy, and Community | TAPP 155

   Murray Jensen joins Kevin Patton to explore dual enrollment in anatomy & physiology. From guided inquiry to the power of teacher communities, this conversation reveals why messy classrooms often yield the best results. 00:00 | Introduction 00:48 | Murray Jensen, HAPS President's Medal Laureate 02:27 | What Is Dual Enrollment, Anyway? 11:44 | Two-Word Check-In* 12:53 | Guided Inquiry, Not Guided Napping 25:51 | Concept Echo* 26:37 | No, Not Nightly Recorded Lectures 31:09 | Rigor Reality Check* 32:11 | Rigor, Range, & Real Talk 39:25 | Respect Reframe* 40:02 | Why It Matters: Heart, Head, & High School 47:55 | Slide Diet* 49:06 | Money, Mission, & a Playbook for Best Practices 54:04 | Staying Connected * Breaks ★ If you cannot see or activate the audio player, go to: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-155.html (https://theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-155.html) ❓ Please take the anonymous survey: theAPprofessor.org/survey ☝️ Questions & Feedback: 1-833-LION-DEN (1-833-546-6336) ✔️ Follow The A&P Professor on Twitter, Facebook, Blogger (https://theapprofessor.blogspot.com/), Substack (https://theAPprofessor.org/updates), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theapprofessor/)! @theAPprofessor 📰 Get the once-or-twice-weekly TAPP Science & Education Updates theAPprofessor.org/updates “The classroom remains the most radical space of possibility in the academy.” (bell hooks (https://geni.us/TDCa6G)) Murray Jensen, HAPS President's Medal Laureate 1.5 minutes Kevin introduces his guest, Murray Jensen, a Professor of Biology Teaching and Learning at the University of Minnesota. He highlights Murray’s research focus on teaching and learning in human anatomy and physiology, his emphasis on POGIL and cooperative learning, and his many awards, including the 2024 HAPS President’s Medal. Kevin also notes Murray’s warm reputation as a mentor and colleague, framing the conversation as both professional and deeply personal. What is Dual Enrollment, Anyway? 9 minutes Murray explains how dual enrollment works in Minnesota through the College in the Schools program, which currently involves 28 high schools and 1,100 students. He emphasizes the importance of professional development and the community of practice that keeps teachers connected, supported, and inspired. Kevin shares his own experiences with dual enrollment, reflecting on how it shaped his career and outlook as an educator. Guided Inquiry, Not Guided Napping 13 minutes This segment digs into pedagogy. Murray describes his approach to selecting teachers, focusing on passion and spark, and how he encourages them to adopt guided inquiry and cooperative group learning. He shares stories about the challenges of letting go of control in the classroom, and how productive messiness often leads to deeper learning. Kevin adds his own examples, reinforcing that guided inquiry transforms classrooms into vibrant, memorable learning spaces. No, Not Nightly Recorded Lectures 4.5 minutes Murray makes the case against online-only dual enrollment models that rely on recorded lectures. He insists that learning must remain face-to-face to preserve rigor and connection. The conversation turns to the politics of funding and the pressure to push students through college more quickly. Both Kevin and Murray stress that dual enrollment should not be about speed but about helping students grow and make informed choices about their futures. Rigor, Range, & Real Talk 7 minutes Kevin raises the skepticism some faculty hold toward dual enrollment. Murray responds by acknowledging the range of rigor but emphasizing that many high school programs are every bit as challenging—if not more so—than their college equivalents. He reflects on his path into dual enrollment, the importance of maintaining standards, and the need to respect teachers while navigating the politics of education. Why It Matters: Heart, Head, & High School 7.5 minutes Murray shares the personal side of his work, recalling visits to high schools and the deep respect he has for teachers and students alike. He explains how writing curriculum, providing tools, and supporting teachers keeps him motivated. The discussion highlights the passion, respect, and community at the heart of dual enrollment, even as financial pressures loom. Money, Mission, & a Playbook for Best Practices 5 minutes Looking to the future, Murray describes his vision for creating a best practices guide for dual enrollment in anatomy and physiology. He underscores the importance of focusing on core concepts, guided inquiry, and cooperative learning while moving away from passive slide-based teaching. Kevin and Murray agree that active learning consistently outperforms lecture-heavy approaches, especially in entry-level science courses. Links Teaching to Transgress by bell hooks (book) geni.us/TDCa6G (https://geni.us/TDCa6G) Murray Jensen (U of M faculty page) AandP.info/jd1 (https://aandp.info/jd1) Human Anatomy & Physiology Society (organization) theAPprofessor.org/haps (https://theAPprofessor.org/haps) POGIL Project: Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (organization) pogil.org (https://pogil.org) University of Minnesota College in the Schools Program (program info cce.umn.edu/college-in-the-schools (https://cce.umn.edu/college-in-the-schools) National Association of Biology Teachers (organization) nabt.org (https://nabt.org) Foundations in physiology: an introductory course using the core concepts (article in Advances in Physiology Education) AandP.info/zkx (https://aandp.info/zkx) ★ List of TAPP episodes and related resource related to this episode's topics Concept Lists Help Students Build Conceptual Frameworks Big Ideas: The Essential Concepts of A&P | Episode 35 Running Concept Lists Help Students Make Connections | Episode 8 ★ List of TAPP podcasts (sortable list with titles, links to episode pages, and topics) theAPprofessor.org/podcast-list.html ★ TAPP Jukebox (a fun way to browse and play TAPP episodes) theAPprofessor.org/podcast-jukebox.html People Production: Aileen Park (announcer),  Andrés Rodriguez (theme composer,  recording artist),  Kevin Patton (writer, editor, producer, host). Not People Robotic (AI) audio leveling/processing by Auphonic.com, initial draft transcript by Rev.com (https://try.rev.com/Cw2nZ), and the content, organization, spelling, grammar, style, etc., of this episode and notes are assisted by various bots, such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and QuillBot. If the hyperlinks here are not active, go to TAPPradio.org to find the episode page. ★ More details at the episode page: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-155.html ★ Transcript available in the transcript box: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-155.html ★ Need help accessing resources locked behind a paywall? Check out this advice from Episode 32 to get what you need! my-ap.us/paywall Tools & Resources ★ TAPP Science & Education Updates: theAPprofessor.org/updates Follow The A&P Professor on  Facebook, Mastodon (https://qoto.org/@theAPprofessor), TikTok,LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/theapprofessor), Blogger (https://theapprofessor.blogspot.com/), Substack (https://theAPprofessor.org/updates), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theapprofessor/) @theAPprofessor The A&P Professor® and Lion Den® are registered trademarks of Lion Den Inc. (Kevin Patton) b

3. 

   19 Aug 2025

   10 Reasons Why Mucus Is Our Friend | TAPP 154

   Kevin Patton tackles one of A&P’s slimiest subjects: mucus. In this playful but powerful episode, he reveals ten (or eleven) reasons mucus deserves more attention in our teaching. From immunity to fertility, mucus does it all. 00:00 | Introduction 00:45 | Mucus & Mucous 04:27 | Virtual HAPS Conference * 05:41 | Mucus: Body-Wide Protector 10:13 | Gross Episodes * 11:15 | Mucus in Motion 15:46 | Kerry Hull Honored * 16:28 | Mucus & the Human Story 20:42 | Running Concept Lists 21:11 | Mucus is Vital 26:05 | Staying Connected * Breaks ★ If you cannot see or activate the audio player, go to: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-154.html (https://theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-154.html) ❓ Please take the anonymous survey: theAPprofessor.org/survey ☝️ Questions & Feedback: 1-833-LION-DEN (1-833-546-6336) ✔️ Follow The A&P Professor on Twitter, Facebook, Blogger (https://theapprofessor.blogspot.com/), Substack (https://theAPprofessor.org/updates), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theapprofessor/)! @theAPprofessor 📰 Get the once-or-twice-weekly TAPP Science & Education Updates theAPprofessor.org/updates “If life hands you a painful irritant, cover it in an iridescent mucus‑like substance until it becomes a pearl.” (Sarah Rosenshine) Mucus & Mucous 3.5 minutes What’s the difference between mucus and mucous? One is a noun, the other an adjective—but that subtle difference trips up a lot of students. This short segment makes a strong case for calling out that distinction early and often in your A&P course. Virtual HAPS Conference 1.0 minute Need new ideas for your A&P course? This brief segment promotes the upcoming virtual HAPS conference and Kevin’s own flipped-session presentation—packed with audio strategies for teaching. Mucus: Body-Wide Protector 4.5 minutes Reasons: Mechanical Barrier Immunological First Responder Homeostasis Helper Mucus forms a body-wide protective network—physically trapping invaders, launching immune responses with secretory IgA and enzymes, and maintaining pH and hydration across exposed epithelial surfaces. Gross Episodes 1.0 minute This short segment encourages instructors to lean into the gross-out moments. Why? Because they’re often where the best learning happens. And yes, that includes mucus, poop, and pee. Mucus in Motion 4.5 minutes Reasons: 4. Lubrication 5. Trap-and-Transport System 6. Environmental Sentinel This segment gets things moving—literally. Mucus lubricates tissues, rides the mucociliary escalator to clear debris from the lungs, and even signals health status through color and consistency changes. Kerry Hull Honored 0.5 minutes Kevin pauses to celebrate A&P educator Kerry Hull, who received the HAPS President’s Medal. It’s a quick but heartfelt recognition of excellence and contribution to our teaching community. Mucus & The Human Story 4.0 minutes Reasons: 7. Microbiome Mediator 8. Fertility Facilitator 9. Digestive Ally 10. Indicator of Health In this segment, mucus supports friendly microbes, gets involved in reproduction, protects the gut from self-digestion, and signals health changes. It’s a slimy but vital player in our human physiology narrative. Running Concept Lists 0.5 minutes Want to reinforce deeper learning? Use mucus in a running concept list. Kevin explains how this recurring theme links systems and encourages students to build long-lasting conceptual connections. Mucus is Vital 4.5 minutes Reasons: 11. Mucus is Vital to Understanding the Human Body Kevin wraps it all up by calling mucus what it is: vital. It’s not just a side note in A&P—it’s a unifying, system-spanning feature worth revisiting throughout the course. Links 1. What Is Mucus, Anyway? (popular explainer article in Popular Science) AandP.info/154-1 (https://aandp.info/154-1) 2. Hagfish Slime Expands Faster Than Almost Anything Known (research-based article in Popular Science) AandP.info/154-2 (https://aandp.info/154-2) 3. Mucus Has Evolved at Least 15 Times in Mammals (article in New Scientist discussing evolutionary biology) AandP.info/154-3b (https://aandp.info/154-3) 4. Personal Lubricant Made from Cow Mucus May Protect Against HIV (biomedical research article summary in New Scientist) AandP.info/154-4 (https://aandp.info/154-4) 5. Mucus, Slime, and Other Sticky Substances (open-access review in Journal of Functional Biomaterials) AandP.info/154-5 (https://aandp.info/154-5) 6. That’s Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion by Rachel Herz (book exploring the science of disgust, includes discussion of mucus) geni.us/154-6 (https://geni.us/154-6) 7. Slime: How Algae Created Us, Plague Us, and Just Might Save Us by Ruth Kassinger (book blending science and storytelling about slimy lifeforms, including mucosal adaptations) geni.us/154-7 (https://geni.us/154-7) 8. Future Fibers May Be Spun From Slime (short video + article in Science Friday) AandP.info/154-8 (https://aandp.info/154-8) 9. Seeking medical insights in the physics of mucus (article in Science Daily) AandP.info/154-9 (https://aandp.info/154-9) 10. Preparation and applications of artificial mucins in biomedicine (scientific review in Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science) AandP.info/154-10 (https://aandp.info/154-10) ★ HAPS Virtual Conference page AandP.info/5455a4 (https://aandp.info/5455a4) TAPP episodes related to this episode's topics (NOTE: the episode numbers mentioned in the audio narration are incorrect; use those below) The Pee Episode | Teaching Urinary & Renal Concepts | TAPP 125 The Poop Episode | Using Fecal Changes to Monitor Health | TAPP 121 Running Concept Lists Help Students Make Connections | Episode 8 ★ List of TAPP podcasts (sortable list with titles, links to episode pages, and topics) theAPprofessor.org/podcast-list.html ★ TAPP Jukebox (a fun way to browse and play TAPP episodes) theAPprofessor.org/podcast-jukebox.html People Production: Aileen Park (announcer),  Andrés Rodriguez (theme composer,  recording artist),  Kevin Patton (writer, editor, producer, host). Not People Robotic (AI) audio leveling/processing by Auphonic.com, initial draft transcript by Rev.com (https://try.rev.com/Cw2nZ), and the content, spelling, grammar, style, etc., of this episode and notes are assisted by various bots, such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and QuillBot (https://theAPprofessor.org/quillbot). If the hyperlinks here are not active, go to TAPPradio.org to find the episode page. ★ More details at the episode page: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-154.html ★ Transcript available in the transcript box: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-154.html ★ Need help accessing resources locked behind a paywall? Check out this advice from Episode 32 to get what you need! my-ap.us/paywall Take The A&P Professor experience to the next level! ★ theAPprofessor.org/community Earn cash by referring other A&P faculty to this podcast: Tools & Resources ★ TAPP Science & Education Updates: theAPprofessor.org/updates Follow The A&P Professor on  Facebook, Mastodon (https://qoto.org/@theAPprofessor), TikTok,LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/theapprofessor), Blogger (https://theapprofessor.blogspot.com/), Substack (https://theAPprofessor.org/updates), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theapprofessor/) @theAPprofessor The A&P Professor® and Lion Den® are registered trademarks of Lion Den Inc. (Kevin Patton)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

19 ratings

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