Implementation and evaluation of self directed learning (SDL) in MBBS students

Abstract

Introduction-Learning is a complex process that involves various cognitive, motivational, and
environmental factors. Self directed learning has become popular in medical curriculum and has been advocated as an important and effective strategy for medical students to develop
competence in knowledge aquitance and its long term retention.
Aims- The primary aim was to find out if there was any benefit of supplementing Self directed
learning SDL activity with a traditional lecture To compare effectiveness of Self study, problem based study and peer assisted learning for clinical oriented subject.
Methods- The participants were 60 undergraduate students from a university in India, who were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The topic selected was neonatal jaundice .Each group had 20 students, with an equal number of males and females. Each group were given either self study, or problem based study and peer assisted learning. The materials consisted of a pretest, a post-test, a readiness questionnaire, and a lesson on a topic related to their major. The pretest and the post-test were multiple-choice questions that assessed the students' knowledge of the topic. The readiness questionnaire was a Likert-scale survey that measured the students' interest, enjoyment, confidence, and motivation toward the topic and the study method.
Results- The results indicated that there was a significant difference among the groups in terms of post-test scores [F(2,57) = 4.32, p < 0.05], but not in terms of pre-test scores [F(2,57) = 0.21, p > 0.05]. A post-hoc test (Tukey’s HSD) revealed that the peer assisted group had significantly higher post-test scores than both the reading group (p < 0.05) and the problem based group (p <0.05), but there was no significant difference between the reading group and the problem based
group (p > 0.05).
Conclusion- Self directed learning is an effective method of learning in MBBs students. Peer
assisted learning is the most effective amongst the above learning methods