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An acceptability study of the introduction of total online or partial online PBL in a large classroom setting in biochemistry

BACKGROUND: Traditional problem-based learning (PBL) relying on tutored learning in small groups is very resource-intensive. Little is known about the benefits of PBL in a large classroom setting. This paper introduced a PBL case into the traditional didactic biochemistry course and investigated the...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Bai, Suyun, Jiang, Hanming, Wang, Tao, Yang, Duxiao, Liu, Yizhi, Xu, Changqin, Zhang, Limin, Zhang, Yuanying
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: BioMed Central 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10691088/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38037047
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04767-3
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: Traditional problem-based learning (PBL) relying on tutored learning in small groups is very resource-intensive. Little is known about the benefits of PBL in a large classroom setting. This paper introduced a PBL case into the traditional didactic biochemistry course and investigated the acceptability of total online or partial online PBL in a large classroom setting introduced during the coronavirus pandemic. METHODS: The students were allocated into either total online Group 1, partial online Group 2, or partial online and with poorer academic performance Group 3. A questionnaire comprising of 8 closed-ended questions and 2 open-ended questions and final exam performances were used to evaluate the acceptability of total online or partial online PBL in a large classroom setting. The 8 closed-ended questions were analysed by the Kruskal–Wallis test or chi-square tests. The word cloud analysis of the 2 open-ended questions were conducted by Wenjuanxing. Students’ performances in the final examination were analysed by One-way Anova. RESULTS: Both total online and partial online PBL were rated highly by the students. Overall, there were no significant differences in the effectiveness evaluation of PBL between Group 2 and Group 3. There were no significant differences in final exam performances between Group 1 and Group 2. However, Group 1 rated the effectiveness of PBL much higher than Group 2 and 3. Word cloud analysis of the 2 open-ended questions showed students’ positive perspectives of PBL. In biochemistry teaching, from the perspective of the students, the expected optimal number of useful PBL cases might be 2. CONCLUSIONS: Both total online and partial online PBL in a large classroom setting were widely accepted as a beneficial supplement to traditional biochemistry classes. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-023-04767-3.