DefinePK

Abstract

Introduction: Institutional learning platforms provide adequate support for the academic activities of medical students. Students’ access to and use of these resources are determined by their learning needs and information-seeking behaviors.
Objective: The objective was to assess the utilization of learning resources by students in lecture versus peer assisted learning.
Methods: In a randomized control trial, 99 fourth-year MBBS students were allocated to lecture and peer-assisted learning (PAL) groups in simultaneously running sessions of a course. At the end of each session, students recorded study resources used on an itemized checklist. Chi-square test was used to analyze data, using a cut-off point of p ≤ 0.05 for statistical significance.
Results: All students had a preference for print media, followed by electronic (89%) and physical (79%) resources. Utilization of human resources was reported by 17% of the lecture group. Compared with the PAL cohort, the lecture group benefitted more from physical (p = 0.02) and human resources (p < 0.001). A significant percentage of the lecture group visited the library (p = 0.002) and consulted scientific journals (p = 0.02) and search engines (p = 0.02).
Conclusion: Resource utilization activities were consistent in the PAL cohort. The lecture group displayed an erratic pattern. PAL group relied on fewer learning resources. Students were more inclined towards print and electronic media. Keeping learners’ interests and the latest trends in mind, they must be trained to make optimal use of available resources.
Keywords: Checklist, Information, Behaviour, Medical Students, Public Health, Workforce