Virtual spaced-learning method, during COVID-19 for Pharm D students

BMC Medical Education

Research

Meysam Sharifdini¹  Mehdi Evazalipour²  Zahra Hesari³ 

[1] Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran;Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran;Medical Education Research Center, Education Development Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran;Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran;

关键词: Spaced learning;    Mass learning;    Virtual learning;    Pharm D students;    COVID-19 pandemic;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-023-04595-5

 received in 2022-08-13, accepted in 2023-08-16,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak basically changed teaching methods across the world, and learning was almost replaced by virtual learning during the pandemic. Also, the spacing effect is one of the most well-established phenomena in the science of learning. Using temporal intervals for re-exposing learners to information over time (spaced learning) leads to more effective retention of knowledge compared to having information presented at a single time (massed learning). Hence, we designed a virtual spaced learning method to reap the benefits of virtual learning and spaced learning concomitantly.Methods/approachAn interventional semi- experimental survey among 66 Pharm D students was designed and implemented. Students were divided into two groups (spaced vs mass learning) in the national integrated virtual education platform (NAVID) as the matrix for teaching as well as evaluation. Classes were conducted in the following sequence: 1- answering the pre-test, 2- watching and listening to the educational content (separately for each group), 3- answering the post-test (n = 1). The pre/post-test consisted of 10 four-choice questions based on the Kirkpatrick Model extracted from the educational content.Results/outcomesFindings revealed that the average score was not significantly different between the post-tests of the spaced learning and mass learning (7.26 ± 2.26 vs 6.5 ± 2.5) methods utilizing the independent t- test (p ≥ 0.05).ConclusionsSince no statistically significant improvement was observed in the virtual spaced learning group compared to the control group, it seems that clarifying the significant influence of the spaced learning strategy in pharmacy education requires longer period of study, or study on less complex or skill-based topics for further evaluation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

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