• Anatomy and physiology of the spinal cord, including embryologic & histologic features and anatomy of related structures, is communicated by text and graphics within didactic screen units
  
• Content is organized into basic information and additional/ancillary information
  
• Screens display navigation icons to indicate relative position within the information hierarchy
  
• Subject matter index for viewing selected topics or entering the series of didactic screens at variable sites
  
• Quiz questions feature immediate responses to answers, routing through pertinent topic screens, instructor commentary about each question, and a self-evaluation option
  

The Tutor offers three ways to approach learning about the spinal cord:

1] Tutorial mode — consists of a progressive series of didactic screens, each explaining one feature of spinal cord structure/function. The tutorial is organized into a surface layer of basic information and additional/ancillary information that is optionally accessible from the surface layer. Navigate within the surface layer of basic information by means of left and right arrow buttons. Use labeled buttons to evoke additional/ancillary material and return buttons to bring you back to the surface layer.

(If you are a new student with respect to the subject matter, you should remain at the surface level to gain a comprehensive basic knowledge about the spinal cord. Subsequently, begin to explore the related additional subject matter. You can quickly jump to and return from additional information screens, studying those that interest you the most. Students pursuing an in-depth knowledge of the spinal cord should progress toward an understanding of all of the information screens.)

2] Topic Index — lists of all the topics in the Tutor. From the Index you can view any didatic screen. Clicking a return button brings you back to the Index. Also, using the index you can enter the surface layer of the tutorial at any point instead of returning to the Index.

(Use the Index to look-up specific information, once you have developed a comprehensive basic understanding of the spinal cord. Also use the Index to enter the surface layer of the tutorial when you want to resume studying at some point other than the first screen.)

3] Quiz — consists of 15 multiple-choice questions about the spinal cord. Earlier questions deal with basic information and later questions are concerned with additional/ancillary information.

You may obtain immediate feedback regarding the correctness of each answer you select. You can tour a series of pertinent tutorial screens and return to the question by means of Continue buttons. You can view the instructor’s commentary regarding the purpose of the question. You can see your quiz score (percent correct responses) and tabulate your own self-assessment of your knowledge about the subject matter of each question.

(Use the quiz format to review and inventory your knowledge, after developing a comprehensive basic understanding of the spinal cord. Also, you can assess your current knowledge level by taking the quiz without obtaining feedback about the correctness of your answers, as in an examination).