title: Effect of using an audience response system on learning environment, motivation and long-term retention, during case-discussions in a large group of undergraduate veterinary clinical pharmacology students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Teaching methods that provide an opportunity for individual engagement and focussed feedback are required to create an active learning environment for case-based teaching in large groups.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A prospective observational controlled study was conducted to evaluate whether the use of an audience response system (ARS) would promote an active learning environment during case-based discussions in large groups, have an impact on student motivation and improve long-term retention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group A (N = 83) participated in large group case discussions where student participation was voluntary, while for group B (N = 86) an ARS was used. Data collection methods included student and teacher surveys, student focus group interviews, independent observations and 1-year post-course testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that the use of an ARS provided an active learning environment during case-based discussions in large groups by favouring engagement, observation and critical reflection and by increasing student and teacher motivation. Although final exam results were significantly improved in group B, long-term retention was not significantly different between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that ARS use significantly improved the learning experience associated with case-based discussions in a large group of undergraduate students.
authors.affiliation: Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. michele.doucet@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doucet
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vrins
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004520:Education, Veterinary / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010601:Pharmacology, Clinical / Q000193:education*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D055815:Young Adult