Does team learning motivate students' engagement in an evidence-based medicine course?
BACKGROUND
Small group-based instructional methods such as team learning have been shown to produce positive educational outcomes. To motivate students' learning in an evidence-based medicine course, we explore team learning as a teaching strategy, and describe students' engagement and preference for this mode of learning.


METHODS
An adaptation of team learning was implemented in September 2007 for all Year 2 Medical undergraduates attending the Principles in Evidence-Based Medicine course at the National University of Singapore. First, each student attempted a multiple-choice question individually. Next, the student discussed the same question with his/her team and provided a group response. Individual and group answers were recorded using keypads and Turning Point software. Students' engagement and preference for team learning were measured using a self-reported Likert Scale instrument. The pattern of engagement in team learning was compared with conventional tutorial involving the same cohort of students using chi2 trend test.


RESULTS
A total of 224 (88%) and 215 (84%) students responded to the surveys on team learning and conventional tutorial respectively. Overall, students reported a higher level of engagement with team learning than conventional tutorial. However, regardless of the mode of instruction, the students were equally likely to pay attention in class. Sixty-nine per cent of students found team learning more enjoyable than conventional tutorial, with 73% preferring this mode of learning. There was a tendency for the percentage of correct responses to improve after group discussion.


CONCLUSIONS
Team learning is the preferred mode of learning by Year 2 students attending the evidence-based medicine course. It promoted a high level of students' engagement and interaction in class.
Tai
Bee Choo
BC
Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Koh
Woon Puay
WP
D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012846:Singapore; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires