Learning Objective #1: Identify nursing students' preferences of teaching methods in pharmacology

Learning Objective #2: Define student perceptions of effective teaching modalities to enhance critical-thinking in pharmacology

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The objective of this study is to determine and evaluate nursing students' perceptions of effective teaching methods in pharmacology. A descriptive survey design consisting of eight questions was utilized to evaluate students' preferences for teaching methodologies that are perceived to enhance learning in pharmacology. The sample consisted of seventy-four first year undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in a pharmacology course during the Fall 2004 semester. Results indicated that a majority of the students (68.9%) favored alternative teaching strategies in pharmacology; however, 75.7% (n=56) still preferred some form of didactic lecture. Case-study and lecture proved to be most popular with 83.8% (n=62) preferring a combination of both teaching methods. Also, the majority of students believed that the combination of case-study and didactic lecture enhanced critical thinking and reinforced pharmacology content (90.5%). Interestingly, however, 83.8% did not wish to participate in web-based study. This data provides insight into student perceptions of learning styles and teaching methods to better enhance learning and critical-thinking in pharmacology. This data also shows that there may be differences in student and faculty perception of the value of web-based study. Further investigation into this issue is recommended