The development and evaluation of integration of inter-sessional facilitated online discussion in problem-based learning in undergraduate medical school curriculum

Problem-based learning (PBL) has been used extensively in medical education but its educational potential may not be fully realised due to several factors, including the variable interaction between students and tutors. Qassim Medical School (QMS) in Saudi Arabia implemented PBL 10 years ago. Three previous studies evaluating the Qassim curriculum have been published, which together with this researcher’s experience as a student at the same school, identified some difficulties and challenges with the collaborative learning aspect of PBL. A previous pilot study was conducted at QMS in 2010 exploring the integration of facilitated inter-sessional online discussion forums with PBL. The evaluation showed that students and tutors liked the integrated forums, and that the forums helped students to achieve the learning objectives effectively, enhanced collaboration, and increased use of learning resources. Students wanted the forums to be implemented in the other courses. Understanding the challenges and difficulties existing at QMS, the findings of the pilot study of integrated online discussions, and the lack of literature on the integration of the two teaching and learning methodologies have led to the development of the research question: ‘Does use of an inter-sessional facilitated online discussion forum between PBL sessions improve student learning?’ To address the research question, a conceptual model was developed, a training program was conducted, and a mixed-methods approach was applied. Analysis of the posts showed that knowledge construction occurs when discussion fora (DFs) are integrated between PBL sessions; student perception reported in this study validated the pilot study’s findings. This study gives insight for QMS and similar institutions that integration of facilitated DF can enhance students’ knowledge construction, overcome current issues with PBL, and improve student skills such as English writing

Web-based and paper-based examinations:Lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

Objectives: This study describes the process of remote assessment in medical education during the COVID-19 lockdown and shares data-driven experiences in resolving emerging concerns. Methods: We analysed the data of end-of-course paper-based exams (PBEs) and web-based exams (WBEs) conducted during the academic year 2019/2020. Twelve end-of-block exams were included. There were four exams each for the first-, second-, and third-year students. Eight exams were conducted as PBEs, and four were administered as WBEs. We compared the mean scores of PBEs and WBEs between exams and batches. Additionally, we compared the PBE and WBE scores obtained by 10 high-performance and 10 lowest-achieving students. Results: Variations were found in the scores of students from each of the three batches in PBEs or WBEs. In a few instances, the difference was statistically significant. No specific trend or pattern was detected in the difference between the scores of PBEs and WBEs. The mean score for the WBEs was intermediate among the means of PBEs for the first- and second-year students, but lower for the third-year students. Individual students’ marks in different exams consistently showed a positive correlation. The correlation was always high for PBEs (r = 0.782, 0.847). Conclusion: The present study showed that average and individual scores in WBEs and PBEs are comparable. Although there were some variations between the results of the two assessment modalities, no remarkable trend or pattern was observed. WBEs offer an ideal approach for formative assessment, progress testing, and the low-weight, but frequent, nature of continuous assessment.</p

10 years of experience in adopting, implementing and evaluating progress testing for Saudi medical students

Objectives: The progress test (PT) is a comprehensive examination that is designed to match the knowledge acquisition necessary at graduation and monitors progress during the entire period of an undergraduate program. Qassim College of Medicine (QCM) began using the multi-institutional PT in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study aimed to determine if the PT can be utilized to assess the progress of medical students at different Saudi medical colleges with different educational approaches, as well as whether this testing modality could be accepted by other colleges. Methods: Beside the establishment of a PT committee, comprehensive blueprinting was crafted to sample 200 A-type multiple choice questions (MCQs) from different disciplines. The PT is a paper-and-pencil model and is answered in a 4-h period. All PT items followed a uniform design. Results: In total, 13 rounds of the progress test have been conducted. The number of participating colleges increased from three (with 285 students) in the first test (May 2012) to more than 20 (with &gt;6000 students) in the ninth round (February 2017). The average % scores for first-year students ranged from 3.0% to 7.9% while the average scores for fifth-year students ranged from 34.0% to 43.0%. Conclusion: The conduction of this meticulously crafted test to evaluate knowledge achievement at medical graduation is a fruitful tool and helps to provide constructive feedback for test-takers and other stakeholders relating to their relative positions among other fellows at the national level.</p