Professional paper
"Study Skills" Elective Course at the Zagreb University School of Medicine: Description and Qualitative Evaluation
Dario SAMBUNJAK
; School of Medicine, Croatian Medical Journal
Darko HREN
; Faculty of Philosophy, Split
Abstract
"Learning to learn" is a key competency that medical students
should acquire during their studies. The elective course
"Study Skills" was introduced at the Zagreb University School
of Medicine in 2007 and since then it has been attended by
130 students. The course lasts 25 hours, it is based on Kolb’s theory of experiential learning cycle, and it aims to
develop students’ knowledge and skills in goal setting, time
management, use and improvement of memory, and giving
feedback. Students are also helped to increase their
awareness of their motivation and personal needs in study.
Teachers use creative and innovative methods such as filling
out questionnaires, role playing, writing a personal vision
statement, listening to music, and simultaneous participation
of two teachers in the course. Qualitative evaluation showed
that the students were positively impressed by the course,
especially by the relaxed atmosphere, good communication
with teachers and a high level of interaction in the teaching
process. Students identified three main desirable outcomes of
the course: chance for self-reflection; confirmation and
elaboration of already adopted knowledge and skills; and
acquisition of new methods and techniques that will help
them in their future study. Main objections to the course were
related to the time of the year when it was held, duration of
the course, and the strict control of attendance. The
qualitative evaluation showed that the course is well-
-accepted, but the more appropriate time for it would be the
beginning of the academic year.
Keywords
study skills; elective course; medical students
Hrčak ID:
55468
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2010.
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