An Experimental Trial of Web-based Problem Based Learning

Noh, Yun Hee; Park, Seung Hun; Kim, Kwang Min; Chung, Woon Duck; Lee, Won Jin; Koo, Ja Hyun

Abstract

In this paper, we present some results from an experimental web-based Problem-Based Learning(PBL) course, which was offered to 64 medical students in the first grade at Konkuk university for 7 weeks. For the course, we developed a web-based PBL module, which is composed of three sections. The first section includes the 8 stages of problem probing and solving in patient's care. In every stage, the students can browse all the data for the problem solving. The second section contains some problems for evaluating the academic achievement of the students who successfully passed in the first section. In the third section, some questionnaires are presented to survey the students response. The followings are the results. 1. Average score of the first section was 64.1+/-13.2. Most students participated in the course with integrity, and especially seven students(11%) were remarkable in their clinical reasoning. 2.The student's computer skill did not largely affect their academic achievements. However, it is desirable for the students to learn basic computer usage in advance. 3.A few students attended to the discussion through bulletin board facilities. Considering the importance of discussion in PBL, we need to devise a new way of attracting students in the discussion. 4. The survey showed that sixty five percent of the students thought that the lecture was effective and ninety one percent of them that it would be better if it is offered as a regular course during summer or winter vacations. Seventy five percent of students became to realize the importance of basic sciences such as biochemistry and physiology after this course. 5. There were many students who complained about the malfunctioning of the system. The system should be modified to be more reliable and robust. In conclusion, the web-based PBL course provided an effective way of learning in medical education. It also turned out to be used as an alternative of traditional PBL and especially useful for self study.