[Practical chemistry education provided by team-based learning (TBL) and peer evaluation]

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2014;134(2):185-94. doi: 10.1248/yakushi.13-00231-3.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Learning chemistry is cumulative: basic knowledge and chemical calculation skills are required to gain understanding of higher content. However, we often suffer from students' lack of learning skills to acquire these concepts. One of the reasons is the lack of adequate training in the knowledge and skills of chemistry, and one of the reasons for this lack is the lack of adequate evaluation of training procedures and content. Team-based learning (TBL) is a strong method for providing training in the knowledge and skills of chemistry and reaffirms the knowledge and skills of students of various levels. In our faculty, TBL exercises are provided for first-year students concurrently with lectures in physical chemistry and analytical chemistry. In this study, we researched the adoption of a peer evaluation process for this participatory learning model. Questionnaires taken after TBL exercises in the previous year showed a positive response to TBL. Further, a questionnaire taken after TBL exercises in the spring semester of the current year also yielded a positive response not only to TBL but also to peer evaluation. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the improvement of students' grades in chemistry classes and the feeling the percentage (20%) of peer evaluation in overall evaluation low (logistic regression analysis, p=0.022). On the basis of the findings, we argue that TBL provides a generic, practical learning environment including an effective focus on learning strategy and evaluation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and studies on the educational effects of TBL and peer evaluation.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry / education*
  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Education, Pharmacy / methods*
  • Educational Measurement*
  • Group Processes*
  • Humans
  • Learning*
  • Students, Pharmacy / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires