scholarly journals Pharmacy Student Perspective of the Impact of Weekly Multicourse Collective Exams on Learning and Academic Behaviors in an Integrated Biological Sciences Course

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amie Dirks‐Naylor
2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-579
Author(s):  
Amie J. Dirks-Naylor

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program curricula are typically comprised of heavy course loads and assessment burden. Typically, students “live” from exam to exam only preparing and studying for the exam directly ahead of them while neglecting concurrent courses. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the impact of weekly multicourse collective exams academic behaviors and learning in an integrated biological sciences (BSI) course within a PharmD program. Weekly multicourse exams included questions, four per credit hour, from all first semester courses that traditionally included summative exams. Seven courses contributed questions, which amounted to 15 weekly exams of ∼60 questions. No other graded assessments were given in any of the courses, other than individual course cumulative final exams; the final exams in each course were not collective. After completion of final exams, a Qualtrics survey was emailed to all students and the two professors teaching the course. Course grades, not including the final exam, were compared between two cohorts with or without the collective exams to determine impact on learning. The cumulative final exam was compared between cohorts to determine impact on retention. The majority of students agreed or strongly agreed that the weekly collective exams encouraged them to study BSI more frequently, most days of the week, reduced the likelihood of skipping class, and increased likelihood to pay attention and engage in class. The majority believed that they better learned and retained the BSI material. The majority specified that they liked the collective exams for BSI and preferred it over a traditional exam schedule. Learning also appeared to be improved. However, the impact on retention is less clear and requires further research. In conclusion, the weekly multicourse collective exams improved academic behaviors and learning.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 30950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orlaith McAuliffe ◽  
Mariam Lami ◽  
Tamara Lami

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 22-49
Author(s):  
Katie Seaborn ◽  
Deborah I. Fels ◽  
Rob Bajko ◽  
Jaigris Hodson

Gamification, or the use of game elements in non-game contexts, has become a popular and increasingly accepted method of engaging learners in educational settings. However, there have been few comparisons of different kinds of courses and students, particularly in terms of discipline and content. Additionally, little work has reported on course instructor/designer perspectives. Finally, few studies on gamification have used a conceptual framework to assess the impact on student engagement. This paper reports on findings from evaluating two gamified multimedia and social media undergraduate courses over the course of one semester. Findings from applying a multidimensional framework suggest that the gamification approach taken was moderately effective for students overall, with some elements being more engaging than others in general and for each course over time." Post-term questionnaires posed to the instructors/course designers revealed congruence with the student perspective and several challenges pre- and post-implementation, despite the use of established rules for gamifying curricula.


2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1437-1437
Author(s):  
E Editorial

This is a notice of retraction of the article: The evaluation of fish farming impact by nutrient content and chlorophyll A in Mala Lamljana bay, published in the Archives of Biological Sciences in 2013, Vol. 65, Issue 3. The Editor-in-Chief has been informed that the data in this article has already been published in the following article: Jelic Mrcelic G, Sliskovic M. The impact of fish cages on water quality in one fish farm in Croatia. Int Sci Index. 2010;4(8):775-8. Inspection of these articles has revealed the following: a significant part of the data in the article published in the Archives of Biological Sciences was published without proper cross-referencing to the data already published in the earlier paper. This issue was discussed with one of the two authors and it was mutually agreed to retract the article. <br><br><font color="red"><b> Link to the retracted article <u><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/ABS1302567J">10.2298/ABS1302567J</a></b></u>


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-43
Author(s):  
Daniel Debouck ◽  
Marcela Santaella ◽  
Luis Guillermo Santos

This work explains the reasons why a bean collection was established in 1973 at the International Center of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) near Palmira in Colombia. It shows the impact of the collection on plant breeding and in agricultural development through the distribution of germplasm to the center’s bean breeding program, to successively find resistances to pests and diseases, adaptation to low phosphorus and drought, and more recently higher content of iron and zinc in seeds. The collection was also used to progress knowledge in biological sciences, as shown by a dozen of examples. A reason behind these successes was foresight and focus on diversity per se in the collection. The paper ends with a number of suggestions for the way ahead for the genetic resources conservation and management of these bean crops, and possible take-home lessons for curators in charge of other similar collections.


1994 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 265-280 ◽  

Barbara McClintock’s remarkable life spanned the history of genetics in the 20th century. Though technically rooted in Mendel’s experiments carried out decades earlier, the science of genetics began with the rediscovery of his work at the turn of the century. In 1902, the year of McClintock’s birth, William Bateson wrote prophetically that ‘an exact determination of the laws of heredity will probably work more change in man’s outlook on the world, and in his power over nature, than any other advance in natural knowledge that can be clearly foreseen’. Indeed, the science of genetics, to which McClintock made seminal contributions, both experimental and conceptual, has come to dominate all of the biological sciences, from molecular biology, through cell and developmental biology, to medicine and agriculture. And Bateson’s immodest guess was arguably an underestimate of the impact of genetic knowledge on humanity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
Craig E D Mortimer

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact to paramedic students of patient monitor simulators, when compared with manikin-based simulators within an educational programme.DesignAn exploratory study using an online questionnaire to gain qualitative and quantitative data.SettingOne London university delivering a paramedic science programme.ParticipantsA total of 136 paramedic students sponsored by a UK ambulance service were approached for this study. Data were received from 43 respondents (32%).Main outcome measuresComparison of simulators and their effect on student development through the identification of the student’s own perceived ability following use, perception of other’s ability (fellow students studying same course) following use and perception of the two pieces of simulation equipment available.ResultsThe majority of respondents identified that simulation both increased their confidence and ability to demonstrate new knowledge and skills during simulation (97%) and further increased their ability to manage real patients (95%). Respondents agreed that there were advantages and disadvantages of using simulation, but these were not in line with those identified in previous studies. Instead of the human factors and non-technical skills outlined, students were much more practically focused on how the equipment performed.ConclusionsThis study suggests that there is a clear link between simulation and increased student confidence, but any issues encountered with the simulator equipment can reduce this benefit, causing the student’s learning environment to falter. Transitioning to monitor-based simulators is seen as a positive move, although the integration of manikins with this equipment is identified as being necessary.


2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 574-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Szkiladz ◽  
Katherine Carey ◽  
Kimberly Ackerbauer ◽  
Mark Heelon ◽  
Jennifer Friderici ◽  
...  

Purpose: Many health systems have implemented interventions to reduce the rate of heart failure readmissions. Pharmacists have the training and expertise to provide effective medication-related education. However, few studies have examined the impact of discharge education provided by pharmacy students and residents on patients hospitalized with heart failure exacerbations. Methods: This was a nonrandomized intervention study evaluating the impact of a pharmacy student and resident-led discharge counseling program on heart failure readmissions. The primary end point was the 30-day heart failure readmission rate. Secondary end points included self-reported patient understanding of medications, number of medication errors documented, and estimated associated cost avoidance. Results: A total of 86 and 94 patients were enrolled into the intervention and control groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference in readmission rates was detected between the intervention and the control groups. Thirty-four medication errors and discrepancies were documented, or 1 for every 2.5 patients counseled, resulting in an estimated cost avoidance of $4241 for the institution. Eighty-nine percent of patients who received discharge counseling agreed they had a better understanding of their medications after speaking with a pharmacy resident or student. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference in readmission rates; however, several medication errors were prevented, and a large percentage of patients expressed an improved understanding of their medications.


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