Ariel, Ellen, and Owens, Leigh (2015) Action research to improve the learning space for diagnostic techniques. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 16 (2). pp. 167-177.

Preview

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (298kB) | Preview

Abstract

The module described and evaluated here was created in response to perceived learning difficulties in diagnostic test design and interpretation for students in 3rd year Clinical Microbiology. Previously, the activities in lectures and laboratory classes in the module fell into the lower cognitive operations of "knowledge" and "understanding". The new approach was to exchange part of the traditional activities with elements of interactive learning, where students had the opportunity to engage in deep learning using a variety of learning styles. The effectiveness of the new curriculum was assessed by means of on-course student assessment throughout the module, a final exam, an anonymous questionnaire on student evaluation of the different activities and a focus group of volunteers. Although the new curriculum enabled a major part of the student cohort to achieve higher pass grades (P<0.001), it did not meet the requirements of the weaker students, and the proportion of the students failing the module remained at 34%.

The action research applied here provided a number of valuable suggestions from students on how to improve future curricula from their perspective. Most importantly, an interactive on-line program that facilitated flexibility in the learning space for the different reagents and their interaction in diagnostic tests was proposed. The methods applied to improve and assess a curriculum refresh by involving students as partners in the process, as well as the outcomes are discussed.

Item ID:	40083
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1935-7885
Keywords:	action research, student participation, active learning, problem-based learning, enhancing student learning in science, diagnostic laboratory techniques
Additional Information:	©2015 Author(s). Published by the American Society for Microbiology. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode), which grants the public the nonexclusive right to copy, distribute, or display the published work.
Date Deposited:	25 Aug 2015 05:09
FoR Codes:	13 EDUCATION > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130209 Medicine, Nursing and Health Curriculum and Pedagogy @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920203 Diagnostic Methods @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 1082 Last 12 Months: 12
	More Statistics