A qualitative exploration of student perceptions of the impact of progress tests on learning and emotional wellbeing

BMC Medical Education

Research Article

Warwick Bagg¹  Yan Chen¹  Andy Wearn¹  Jennifer Weller¹  Jill Yielder¹  Marcus A. Henning¹  Steven Lillis¹  Vernon Mogol¹ 

[1] Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;

关键词: Progess tests;    Approaches to learning;    Strategies for learning;    Emotional wellbeing;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-017-0984-2

 received in 2017-03-05, accepted in 2017-08-21,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundProgress testing was introduced to the MBChB programme at the University of Auckland in 2013. As there has been a focus in published literature on aspects relating to the format or function of progress tests, the purpose of this study was to explore a qualitative student perspective on the introduction of progress testing and its impact on approaches to learning and perceived stress.MethodsThis article presents the qualitative aspects of a longitudinal evaluation study. The qualitative data were derived from eight focus groups of Year 2–5 medical students in the University of Auckland medical programme.ResultsTwo themes, ‘Impact on Learning’ and ‘Emotional Wellbeing’ and their subthemes offered insight into student perceptions and behaviour. Students described a variety of learning responses to progress testing that clustered around the employment of a range of learning strategies based on their experience of sitting progress tests and their individualised feedback. A range of emotional responses were also expressed, with some finding progress tests stressful, while others enjoyed not needing to intensively cram before the tests.ConclusionsProgress tests appear to influence the approach of students to their learning. They employ a mix of learning strategies, shaped by their performance, individualised feedback and the learning environment. While students expressed some stress and anxiety with respect to sitting progress tests, this form of testing was viewed by these students as no worse, and sometimes better than traditional assessments.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017