This study compared the preference for learning styles of dental students in a small class in physiology at a South African university with the preference for teaching styles of the lecturers. It also analyzed and evaluated the teaching methods and aids the lecturers used. The study was done in the last teaching block of the year after students have been exposed to all the lecturing styles in the same premedical subject. Two separate questionnaires were used in the study in order to evaluate teaching methods and teaching media used by the lecturers and to measure the teaching methods and teaching media that students preferred. Through a critical analysis of the data, it was found that the students preferred cooperative and active teaching/learning experiences more than the lecturers are using them. The study emphasizes the importance of students being actively involved in the teaching-learning process through cooperative methods. This may enhance their ability to utilize cognitive skills such as creative thinking, interpretation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.Dr. Allers is Senior Lecturer,
Although the study included data from all 2011 2nd-year medical students (N=228), two specific target groups were identified for comparison, i.e.Background. Admission to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa is determined by the student's Matriculation (Matric) results, while the writing of the National Benchmark Test (NBT) is not compulsory. An average student pass rate of 80.1% in physiology (MB ChB II) in the past 13 years compelled this institution to investigate which criteria in the selection process could be predictors for success in physiology, a fundamental discipline for medical studies. Objectives. To compile a profile of very successful physiology students and those who failed the subject, and to identify predictors for success in physiology. Methods. A quantitative study, using Matric and available NBT results, was conducted among the MB ChB II group (N=228) of 2011. Two target groups were identified: highly successful students in physiology (n=37) and those who failed (n=46). Statistical analysis of the results was performed on SAS 9.2, Microsoft Windows (SAS Institute Inc., USA) (p-values ≤0.05 are significant) using the t-test, Fisher's exact test and the simple linear regression test. Results. These indicated that a good Matric symbol (≥5) in English and life science and a good performance in the quantitative literacy domain of the NBT were statistically significant predictors for success in physiology. Conclusion. This preliminary study indicates the need for our institution to rethink the effectiveness of the selection criteria, redesign the selection process of students for the MB ChB course, and consider making use of the NBT.
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