Published Paper


Assessment of Undergraduate Pharmacy Students' Preferences of Learning Approaches with Their Perceptions of Educational Environment: Does it Matter?

Viji Krishnan1 & Sharmila Kannankumarath2
Kerala, India
Page: 1696-1708
Published on: 2024 December

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess undergraduate pharmacy students learning approaches preferences within a traditional curriculum and how they perceive their educational environment across different academic years. Methodology: From February to March 2024, we conducted a cross-sectional study among all 189 Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) students across all four years at Kannur Medical College and Post Graduate Research Institute, Kerala. We evaluated the students' learning approaches using the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) short-form questionnaire and assessed the educational environment using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM). Results: Fourth-year students used a relatively lower level of deep approach (Mean ± SD      23.11±3.62) compared to first-year students (Mean ± SD 24.52±3.52), which indicates poor quality of learning outcomes over time. Though there are areas for improvement, the study reveals that the total mean DREEM score for B Pharm students about their educational environment was 117 out of 200 (58.6%), which means that students have a positive perception of B. Pharm courses. Conclusion: The results from ASSIST and DREEM questionnaires provided valuable insights in identifying areas where educational improvement can be made both in teaching strategies as well as curriculum design aspects. This will help to improve academic performance as well as professional competence of B. Pharm students.

 

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