Learning Objective 1: understand the key elements in conducting a problem-based learning tutorial process.
Learning Objective 2: understand an effective intervention to improve group activities during problem-based learning tutorials.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate an intervention designed to improve group activities during PBL tutorials.
Design : A quasi-experimental design using treatment and comparison groups with pretest and posttest.
Subjects: 8 groups of second-year undergraduate nursing students.
Methods: Over a 26-week period, the PBL tutorial process of 8 groups of students were video-recorded and analysed by the research team members. Students in the treatment groups received an intervention consisting of (1) feedback on group activities after each PBL tutorial and (2) enhanced practice targeting identified deficits in group activities. Students in the comparison groups received standard facilitation from their clinical supervisors during PBL tutorials. Students' performance was measured and compared using a PBL tutorial checklist focusing on active participation, group interaction and clinical reasoning skills after each tutorial.
Results: Students' performances in group interaction, participation and reasoning skills during PBL tutorials have SIGNIFICANT improvement after receiving feedbacks. This study provides the evidence on the needs of the students in terms of mastering desirable group activities during PBL tutorials and the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve students' performance during the tutorials.
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