Use of an Adaptive e-Learning Platform as a Formative Assessment Tool in the Cardiovascular System Course Component of an MBBS Programme.

Barbados Cardiovascular System course Firecracker adaptive learning formative assessment technology-enhanced learning

Journal

Advances in medical education and practice
ISSN: 1179-7258
Titre abrégé: Adv Med Educ Pract
Pays: New Zealand
ID NLM: 101562700

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
2020
Historique:
received: 15 06 2020
accepted: 18 10 2020
entrez: 28 12 2020
pubmed: 29 12 2020
medline: 29 12 2020
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Technology-enhanced learning includes the adaptive e-learning platform, a data-driven method with computer algorithms, providing customised learning enhancing critical thinking of individual learners. "Firecracker" - an online adaptive e-learning platform, and assessment software, promotes critical thinking, helps prepare students for courses and high-stakes examinations, and evaluates progress relative to co-learners. The objectives of this study were to determine the usage rates of Firecracker, examine the performance of Firecracker formative quizzes, identify the correlation between Firecracker use and performance with that of performance at summative course assessments, and assess students' satisfaction with Firecracker usage. Study participants were Year-2 MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) students (n=91) of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. The Firecracker Administrator uploaded quizzes covering basic science content in the Cardiovascular System course. Access, usage, and performance on Firecracker formative quizzes were retrieved from the Firecracker dashboard. A questionnaire sought the views of study participants. Seven sets of quizzes were administered over nine weeks, with weekly student completion rates ranging from 53% to 73%. Mean quiz scores ranged from 52% to 72%. Students completing >4 quiz sessions compared to those completing ≤4 demonstrated significantly better performance in Firecracker quizzes ( Overall, Firecracker was perceived very positively and welcomed by the students. Students were satisfied with the Firecracker as a formative assessment tool, and its use correlated with improved performance in the course examinations.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Technology-enhanced learning includes the adaptive e-learning platform, a data-driven method with computer algorithms, providing customised learning enhancing critical thinking of individual learners. "Firecracker" - an online adaptive e-learning platform, and assessment software, promotes critical thinking, helps prepare students for courses and high-stakes examinations, and evaluates progress relative to co-learners. The objectives of this study were to determine the usage rates of Firecracker, examine the performance of Firecracker formative quizzes, identify the correlation between Firecracker use and performance with that of performance at summative course assessments, and assess students' satisfaction with Firecracker usage.
METHODS METHODS
Study participants were Year-2 MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) students (n=91) of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. The Firecracker Administrator uploaded quizzes covering basic science content in the Cardiovascular System course. Access, usage, and performance on Firecracker formative quizzes were retrieved from the Firecracker dashboard. A questionnaire sought the views of study participants.
RESULTS RESULTS
Seven sets of quizzes were administered over nine weeks, with weekly student completion rates ranging from 53% to 73%. Mean quiz scores ranged from 52% to 72%. Students completing >4 quiz sessions compared to those completing ≤4 demonstrated significantly better performance in Firecracker quizzes (
CONCLUSION CONCLUSIONS
Overall, Firecracker was perceived very positively and welcomed by the students. Students were satisfied with the Firecracker as a formative assessment tool, and its use correlated with improved performance in the course examinations.

Identifiants

pubmed: 33363427
doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S267834
pii: 267834
pmc: PMC7752734
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

989-996

Informations de copyright

© 2020 Gupta et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Dr Md Anwarul Azim Majumder is the Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Medical Education and Practice. The authors report no other potential conflicts of interest in this work.

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Auteurs

Subir Gupta (S)

Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Nkemcho Ojeh (N)

Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Bidyadhar Sa (B)

Centre for Medical Sciences Education, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Md Anwarul Azim Majumder (MAA)

Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Keerti Singh (K)

Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Oswald Peter Adams (OP)

Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Classifications MeSH