scholarly journals The relative impact of in-class closed-book versus take-home open-book examination type on academic performance, student knowledge retention and wellbeing

Author(s):  
Tali Spiegel ◽  
Amy Nivette
2020 ◽  
pp. 056943452096825
Author(s):  
Laurie A. Miller ◽  
James R. Schmidt

This study examined how weekly, externally set deadlines affected the completion of adaptive learning assignments and student outcomes in an introductory macroeconomics course. We imposed different deadline schemes for the same adaptive learning assignments in two sections of the course. One section was given flexible deadlines and the other section was given rigid weekly deadlines. We found that weekly deadlines did not affect assignment completions or total points earned on unit exams. We investigated how the adaptive learning assignments affected student retention of material. A measure of staying on pace in the course provided a positive effect on the comprehensive final exam for students with weekly deadlines. The weekly deadlines may not have influenced assignment completions but consistent engagement with the flow of topics through the course increased student knowledge retention. Regardless of deadline type, completions of adaptive learning assignments positively affected outcomes on the unit exams and final exam. JEL Classifications: A20, A22


Author(s):  
Maristela Petrovic-Dzerdz

Recent findings have provided strong evidence that retrieval-based learning is an effective strategy for enhancing knowledge retention and long-term meaningful learning, but it is not a preferred learning strategy for the majority of students. The present research analyzes the application of learning gamification principles in online, open-book, multiple-choice tests in order to motivate students to engage in repeated retrieval-based learning activities. The results reveal a strong positive correlation between the number of successful retrieval attempts in these tests that cover content from the course textbook, and long-term knowledge retention as demonstrated in a live, final, closed-book, cumulative exam consisting of multiple-choice, labeling, definitions, and open-ended questions covering the content of both textbook readings and lectures. The presented results suggest that online, open-book tests designed using gamification principles, even when covering partial course content and one type of questions, are an effective strategy for using educational technology to motivate students to repeatedly engage in retrieval-based learning activities and improve long-term knowledge retention, regardless of the course delivery mode.


Author(s):  
Ester Orsini ◽  
Marilisa Quaranta ◽  
Giulia Mariani ◽  
Sara Mongiorgi ◽  
Lucio Cocco ◽  
...  

The University of Bologna School of Medicine in 2003 adopted a near-peer teaching (NPT) program with senior medical students teaching and assisting younger students in human anatomy laboratories. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of this program—unique on the Italian academic panorama—from the tutors’ perspective. An anonymous online survey was administered to all those who acted as peer tutors in the period from 2003 to 2021; it evaluated tutors’ perceptions regarding the influence of the tutoring experience on their skillset gains, academic performance, and professional career. Furthermore, tutors were asked to express their views on the value of cadaver dissection in medical education and professional development. The overall perception of the NPT program was overwhelmingly positive and the main reported benefits were improved long-term knowledge retention and academic performance, improved communication, team-working and time management skills, and enhanced self-confidence and motivation. Most tutors strongly believed that cadaver dissection was an invaluable learning tool in medical education, helped them to develop professionalism and human values, and positively influenced the caring of their future patients. Nearly all the participants highlighted the importance of voluntary body donation for medical education and research. The present results supported the thesis that tutors themselves benefited from the act of teaching peers; this impactful experience equipped them with a wide range of transferable skills that they could draw on as future educators and healthcare professionals.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Jorgenson ◽  
Kyle J Wilby ◽  
Jeff Taylor

Background: Pharmacists are under pressure to provide patient centered care within increasingly culturally diverse settings. Pharmacy schools play an important role in educating learners regarding culture and its impact on patient care. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine if a novel cultural competency learning activity, which involved students from two culturally and ethnically different pharmacy schools learning together using videoconference education activities, improved: (1) student knowledge and confidence pertaining to cultural competency concepts, (2) attitudes and perceptions towards being a culturally competent pharmacist, and (3) academic performance related to cultural competency case studies. Methods: Pharmacy students from Qatar University in Doha, Qatar (n=25) and the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada (n=85) participated in a cultural competency activity comprised of small group work on a patient case study, followed by tutorial discussions. Some Canadian students (n=31/85) worked collaboratively (via video conference) with the students from Qatar. The evaluation used a convergent mixed methods design comprised of: (1) a pre and post session survey measuring student knowledge and confidence; (2) pre and post session student self-reflections; and, (3) student academic performance on care plans and an observed structured clinical exam (OSCE). Results: The survey identified small but statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements in knowledge and confidence with respect to 11 of the 12 questionnaire items in the students from Canada and 2 of the 12 items in the students from Qatar. The self-reflections found that 44.4% (n=36/81) of students who completed the pre and post reflective questions reported a change in knowledge and attitudes regarding cultural competency, but a reason for the change was not evident. Student grades on the cultural competency care plans and the OSCE were not different between the students who worked collaboratively across the two schools compared with those who did not. Conclusion: The cultural competency student activity showed small improvements in pharmacy student knowledge, attitudes and confidence, but did not affect academic performance. Future research in this area could utilize a greater diversity of methodological approaches, including a focus on student self-reflection and qualitative assessment, to better capture student competency.   Type: Original Research


2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Heijne-Penninga ◽  
J. B. M. Kuks ◽  
W. H. A. Hofman ◽  
A. M. M. Muijtjens ◽  
J. Cohen-Schotanus

Author(s):  
Jacinta Ifeoma Obidile

Problem-based teaching method (PBTM), which is one of the student-centered teaching methods, has been found by scholars as an effective teaching method that enhances students’ academic performance and knowledge retention in the teaching and learning of several subjects, including accounting. But, no known study has simplified PBTM processes for use in the classrooms in the teaching and learning of accounting. This seems to have made its application in the teaching and learning of accounting at tertiary and basic/postbasic levels difficult. This study, therefore, has simplified the Problem-based teaching method (PBTM) for use in the teaching and learning of accounting at basic/postbasic and tertiary levels in the education sector in Nigeria. This research study was considered because of the environment where the teaching and learning of accounting usually take place in the nation. The study anchors on Social learning theory, which states that, as learners actively participate in the classroom work through problem-solving, advancement in knowledge occurs. The study concludes that accounting could be taught effectively at any education level in Nigeria using this simplified PBTM to enhance students’ academic performance and knowledge retention.


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