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Active-learning pedagogies have been repeatedly demonstrated to produce superior learning gains with large effect sizes compared with lecture-based pedagogies. Shifting large numbers of college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty to include any active learning in their teaching may retain and more effectively educate far more students than having a few faculty completely transform their teaching, but the extent to which STEM faculty are changing their teaching methods is unclear. Here, we describe the development and application of the machine-learning–derived algorithm Decibel Analysis for Research in Teaching (DART), which can analyze thousands of hours of STEM course audio recordings quickly, with minimal costs, and without need for human observers. DART analyzes the volume and variance of classroom recordings to predict the quantity of time spent on single voice (e.g., lecture), multiple voice (e.g., pair discussion), and no voice (e.g., clicker question thinking) activities. Applying DART to 1,486 recordings of class sessions from 67 courses, a total of 1,720 h of audio, revealed varied patterns of lecture (single voice) and nonlecture activity (multiple and no voice) use. We also found that there was significantly more use of multiple and no voice strategies in courses for STEM majors compared with courses for non-STEM majors, indicating that DART can be used to compare teaching strategies in different types of courses. Therefore, DART has the potential to systematically inventory the presence of active learning with ∼90% accuracy across thousands of courses in diverse settings with minimal effort.

Background There is evidence that newly qualified doctors do not feel prepared to start work. This study examined views of first year Foundation doctors (F1s) regarding how prepared they felt by their undergraduate medical education for skills required during the first Foundation training year in relation to their type of training. Method One-hundred and eighty two F1s completed a questionnaire during their first rotation of Foundation training. Analysis was conducted by type of medical school training: Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Traditional or Reformed. Results F1s from medical schools with a PBL curriculum felt better prepared for tasks associated with communication and team working, and paperwork than graduates from the other medical school types; but the majority of F1s from all three groups felt well prepared for most areas of practice. Less than half of graduates in all three groups felt well prepared to deal with a patient with neurological/visual problems; write referral letters; understand drug interactions; manage pain; and cope with uncertainty. F1s also indicated that lack of induction or support on starting work was affecting their ability to work in some areas. Conclusions Whilst F1s from medical schools with a PBL curriculum did feel better prepared in multiple areas compared to graduates from the other medical school types, specific areas of unpreparedness related to undergraduate and postgraduate medical training were identified across all F1s. These areas need attention to ensure F1s are optimally prepared for starting work.

Introduction Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of medical education’s most effective student-centered learning modalities. However, a lack of experience has led to several gaps in this useful learning modality, prohibiting it from achieving the desired goals. This study aimed to find gaps in our institution’s PBL strategy, take measures to fill these gaps, and then assess the effect of these measures. Methods This interventional study was conducted in a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) program after receiving ethical approval. The study consisted of three phases: gap identification, intervention, and evaluation. Faculty and student training sessions were conducted to provide insight into PBL processes, followed by a Quality Assessment Questionnaire (QAQ) to assess PBL design and delivery gaps. A PBL revision committee then used the 3C3R model to redesign 136 PBLs, improving alignment with learning outcomes. Pre- and post-intervention scores from the QAQ and formative assessments were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired t-tests. Results Pre-intervention QAQ scores averaged 2.7 out of 5, reflecting issues PBL problems and conduction. Post-intervention scores improved to 4.0 ( p  <.001), indicating a 48.1% enhancement in perceived PBL quality. Post-PBL formative assessments showed significant score improvements across blocks, with an overall effect size (Cohen’s d) of -0.54. Student and faculty satisfaction ratings also increased, averaging 4.3 and 4.8, respectively. Conclusion Due to practical novelty, PBL may have certain gaps and deficiencies that must be removed by targeted interventions to achieve the desired outcomes of this state-of-the-art learning strategy. Trial number Not applicable

Background Lectures are one of the most common teaching methods in medical education. Didactic lectures were perceived by the students as the least effective method. Teaching methods that encourage self-directed learning can be effective in delivering core knowledge leading to increased learning. Problem based learning has been introduced as an active way of learning but it has some obstacles in developing countries where the intake is huge with minimum resources. This study introduces a new teaching approach: lectures based on problems (LBP) and evaluates their effectiveness compared to traditional lectures (TL) in physiology teaching. Methods LBP and TL were applied in physiology teaching of medical students at University of Science and Technology during their study of introduction to physiology and respiratory physiology courses. Equal number of lectures was given as LBP and as TL in each course. Students were given quizzes at the end of each course which were used to compare the effectiveness of the two types of lectures. A questionnaire was used to assess students’ satisfaction about LBP and the perceived effects of the two methods on the students’ attitude and practice towards learning physiology. Results In LBP the students have better attention ( P  = 0.002) and more active role ( P  = 0.003) than in TL. Higher percentage of students think that LBP stimulated them to use references more ( P  = 0.00006) and to use the lecture time more effectively ( P  = 0.0001) compared to TL. However, there was no significant difference between LBP and TL in the awareness of the learning objectives. About 64% of students think that LBP is more enjoyable and it improved their understanding of physiology concepts. Comparison of the students’ quiz marks showed that the means of the students’ marks in the introduction to physiology and respiratory courses were higher in the quizzes of LBP than in TL with a significant difference between them (( P  = .000), ( P  = .006) respectively. Conclusions LBP improved students’ understanding of physiology concepts and increased students’ satisfaction about physiology learning. LBP achieved some of the objectives of PBL with the minimum resources and it can be used to improve the effectiveness of the lectures.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss student’s perspectives on the congruence of problem-based learning (PBL) and recovery-oriented practice (ROP) and the effectiveness of the PBL approach used to teach ROP in a postgraduate nursing module. The recovery-oriented practice module was part of Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing. The study used a mixed methods methodology. Data were collected using a survey and focus group from 33 students who completed the module as part of a Higher Diploma in Mental Health Nursing in 2022. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. In the survey, 100 % of students strongly agreed, or agreed, that they had a better understanding of the subject after completing the module. 81 % strongly agreed or agreed that PBL was an effective way to learn about ROP. 96 % of students agreed that they had learned considerably from individuals with lived experience during the module with regards to ROP. The focus group found five congruencies between PBL and ROP: (1) co-production; (2) self-direction; (3) development of self-awareness; (4) teamwork;and (5) strength-based approach. Firstly, there is congruence between PBL and ROP as both processes share five common key elements. Secondly, students perceived PBL as an effective approach for teaching the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed in ROP. The third argument is that students learned from the individuals with lived experience about crucial elements of recovery-oriented practice that books could not teach them.

Background Skills in peer teaching, assessment and feedback are documented internationally as required graduate attributes for health professional students, placing emphasis on universities to prepare health professional graduates with teaching skills. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the rational, design, content and evaluation of student peer teacher training skills programs across the health professions. Methods In October 2017, a search was conducted of five databases (Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC and Cochrane Collection) using combinations of key search terms: ‘Student as teacher’, ‘near-peer teaching’, ‘student teacher’, ‘peer teacher’, ‘peer-to-peer’, ‘undergraduate’, ‘medical education’, ‘curriculum’, ‘program’, ‘training’, ‘allied health’, ‘health science’, ‘pharmacy’, ‘nurse’, and ‘medicine’, with results restricted to articles published in English within the decade. Articles were excluded if they were not original research, focused on a teaching approach other than peer assisted learning or teaching, did not adequately describe a student teacher training component of at least 3 hrs duration, or addressed only clinical skills training and not teaching skills training. Results The two authors independently assessed 42 full-text articles for eligibility, with 19 articles satisfying criteria for inclusion. Dominating results were uni-disciplinary, faculty-led, non-mandated programs, targeting participants in senior years of training. Medicine was the dominant profession, with an obvious underrepresentation of the other health professions. Common program content included the foundations of education theory, teaching methods and techniques, and providing feedback. Summary and comparison of program design is restricted by gaps and inconsistencies in reporting, while the evaluation of programs remains largely subjective. Conclusions Teaching is increasingly recognised as a core professional skill across the health workforce, with expectations to teach peers and colleagues, within and across professional disciplines, as well as to educate patients. Students, faculty and institutes may benefit from training programs being designed for implementation in any health profession; and further to this, implemented within an interprofessionally context. Consistent reporting of teacher training programs, and objective methods of evaluation would enable more in-depth investigation.

Ecological science contributes to solving a broad range of environmental problems. However, lack of ecological literacy in practice often limits application of this knowledge. In this paper, we highlight a critical but often overlooked demand on ecological literacy: to enable professionals of various careers to apply scientific knowledge when faced with environmental problems. Current university courses on ecology often fail to persuade students that ecological science provides important tools for environmental problem solving. We propose problem-based learning to improve the understanding of ecological science and its usefulness for real-world environmental issues that professionals in careers as diverse as engineering, public health, architecture, social sciences, or management will address. Courses should set clear learning objectives for cognitive skills they expect students to acquire. Thus, professionals in different fields will be enabled to improve environmental decision-making processes and to participate effectively in multidisciplinary work groups charged with tackling environmental issues.

To assess the effectiveness of integrating Case-Based Learning (CBL) with Task-Driven Learning (TDL) in the clinical education of nursing interns specializing in cardiology. Traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) may not adequately prepare nursing interns for clinical problem-solving in cardiovascular specialties. Combining CBL with TDL methodologies could potentially enhance theoretical understanding and practical application skills. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Beijing Friendship Hospital, focusing on nursing interns in the cardiology department. Nursing interns were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received a combination of Case-Based Learning (CBL) and Task-Driven Learning (TDL) (n = 220), while the other group underwent Lecture-Based Learning (LBL) (n = 218). The study was conducted from June 2021 to March 2024. Evaluation was based on examination scores, nursing round skills and an anonymous questionnaire survey. The CBL-TDL group engaged in more pre-class preparation and displayed significantly better post-internship theoretical knowledge (92.21 SD 5.73 vs 91.03 SD 4.43, P = 0.016) and ward round skills (means 90.99 SD 7.19 vs 86.62 SD 5.78, P < 0.001) than the LBL group. Higher satisfaction in the CBL-TDL group was noted across several educational aspects (P < 0.01), particularly in motivation to learn (OR 2.50, 95 %CI (1.80–3.45), P = 0.006) and practical skill (OR 2.40, 95 %CI (1.70–3.40), P = 0.002), although they reported less free time consumed. The synergistic application of CBL and TDL methodologies enhances the theoretical understanding and practical application skills of nursing interns in cardiovascular specialties, suggesting a valuable pedagogical strategy for improving clinical problem-solving abilities.

Background Knowledge and self-confidence are two critical determinants of future success of dental students. The present pilot study was conducted with an objective to simultaneously assess both knowledge and confidence gained by dental undergraduate students in the Head and Neck Anatomy course by employing didactic lecture-based and problem-based learning methods. Methods A paper-based assessment tool comprising of 30 Multiple choice questions to assess knowledge, followed by a Likert’s scale to assess students’ confidence to answer the given knowledge question was designed. This tool was used in a cohort of first year dental students before the commencement of Head and Neck Anatomy course (Pre-course), immediately after the completion of Head and Neck Anatomy course (Post-course), and again in third year before the same cohort entered their clinical courses (Pre-clinics). The difference in students’ knowledge and confidence through both pedagogies was evaluated by Paired ‘t’ test. Pearson correlation analysis was done to determine the correlation between knowledge scores and self-reported confidence. Results A statistically significant increase ( p  < 0.05) was noted in the mean knowledge and confidence scores in the post-course evaluation, through both didactic lecture-based and problem-based learning methods. On the other hand, a significant decrease ( p  < 0.05) in the mean knowledge and confidence scores of didactic lecture-based items in comparison to problem-based items was noted in the pre-clinics evaluation.. The post-course evaluation results yielded a Pearson correlation coefficient of r  = 0.514, p  = 0.002 for lecture-based items and r  = 0.495, p  = 0.003 for problem-based items, denoting a positive moderate correlation between the knowledge and confidence scores for both lecture-based and problem-based methods. Conclusion A significant improvement in both knowledge and self-reported confidence demonstrated at the end of Head and Neck Anatomy course proves both didactic lectures and problem-based learning methods to be equally effective in a hybrid dentistry program in the short term. However, the non-significant reduction in the pre-clinics knowledge and confidence scores among the PBL lessons proves it to be a potent learning tool for long term retention of knowledge, and sustainability of confidence.

To compare the effects of traditional and platform-based case-based learning (CBL) on undergraduate nursing students’ academic performance, self-efficacy, clinical decision-making and critical thinking abilities. Traditional CBL can improve students’ academic performance but faces challenges in the era of “Internet + education.” It is unclear whether platform-based CBL is as effective as traditional CBL. Cluster randomized controlled trial. A total of 88 undergraduate nursing students from two classes were recruited using cluster sampling and separated into two groups by class. The control group (n = 45) received traditional CBL, and the experimental group (n = 43) received platform-based CBL. Academic performance, self-efficacy, clinical decision-making, critical thinking disposition and experimental group’s learning records from the online platform were evaluated. No difference was found between the two groups in overall academic performance, but formative evaluation and final examination scores in the course differed. Compared with the control group, the experimental group presented significant differences in self-efficacy and clinical decision-making. There was no difference between the total clinical thinking disposition scores; however, truth-seeking, systematicity and self-confidence exhibited significant differences. Concerning student progression, all experimental students advanced from “Grade I” to “Grade V” or “Grade IV”. The usability questionnaire’s average score regarding the platform was 77.03 (SD 7.43) and the top dimension was teaching utility. Compared with traditional CBL, platform-based CBL may better enhance self-efficacy and clinical decision-making abilities in nursing undergraduate students.