ObjectiveTo comprehensively evaluate the implementation process and effects of small private online course(SPOC) teaching of physiology for undergraduates.

MethodsA total of 363 undergraduate students from various majors who received physiology theory teaching in the second semester of 2019-2020 academic year in Bengbu Medical College were selected.The participation of SPOC teaching was evaluated from the three dimensions of curriculum resource utilization, mutual evaluation of assignments and forum interaction.The students were divided into three groups according to the high, medium and low student participation, and the teaching effectiveness in three groups were evaluated through teaching process, teaching content evaluation and examination results.

ResultsThe participation of SPOC showed that there was no statistical significance in document browsing, in-class quizzes, posting or replying and receiving replies or likes among different genders students(P > 0.05).However, the differences of the use of course resources, evaluation of others' work, evaluation of work by others and course discussion were statistically significant(P < 0.05).The results of teaching effects showed that there was no statistical significance in teaching content evaluation(P > 0.05), but the differences of teaching organization evaluation, final score and comprehensive score among three groups were statistically significant(P < 0.05).Compared with the students with low participation in the evaluation of teaching organization, the final score and comprehensive score in students with high participation in the evaluation of teaching organization were higher(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe application of SPOC teaching is an important way to enhance teaching effectiveness of physiology.In particular, it is beneficial to improve students' subjective initiative, innovation capability and professionalism.