title: Effects of differences in problem-based learning course length on academic motivation and self-directed learning readiness in medical school students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Problem-based learning (PBL) is an educational approach in which complex authentic problems serve as the context and stimulus for learning. PBL is designed to encourage active participation during learning. The goal of this study was to study the effects of PBL on academic motivation and self-directed learning readiness in medical school students.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects of this study were 190 students in the 1st and 2nd grade of medical school. The period of the PBL course was two weeks for Year 1 and five weeks for Year 2 students. Students completed one module over one week. Academic motivation tests and self-directed learning readiness tests were performed before and after the PBL course. The differences between the two groups were analyzed using paired t-test and repeated measures MANCOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PBL had positive effects on academic self-efficacy (self-control efficacy, task-level preference) and academic failure tolerance (behavior, task-difficulty preference) as academic motivation. PBL had a mildly positive effect on self-directed learning readiness. In addition, the five-week PBL course had greater positive effects on academic motivation than the two-week course but not with regard to self-directed learning readiness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical students engage in academic motivation and self-directed learning readiness during PBL, suggesting that the five-week PBL course has greater positive effects than the two-week course. Future studies are needed to confirm the most effective periods of PBL.
authors: Center for Teaching & Learning, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors: So Jung
authors: SJ
authors: Yune
authors: Center for Teaching & Learning, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors: Sun Ju
authors: SJ
authors: Im
authors: Center for Teaching & Learning, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors: Sun Hee
authors: SH
authors: Lee
authors: Center for Teaching & Learning, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors: Sun Yong
authors: SY
authors: Baek
authors: Center for Teaching & Learning, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors: Sang Yeoup
authors: SY
authors: Lee
keywords: Learning; Motivation; Problem-based learning; Program evaluation