Interactive and collaborative learning in the classroom at the medical school : automated response systems and team-based learning

There has been a pedagogic shift in higher education from the traditional teacher centered to the student centered approach in teaching, necessitating a change in the role of the teacher from a supplier of information to passive receptive students into a more facilitative role. Active learning activities are based on various learning theories such as self-directed learning, cooperative learning and adult learning. There exist many instructional activities that enhance active and collaborative learning. The aim of this manuscript is to describe two methods of interactive and collaborative learning in the classroom, automated response systems [ARS] and team-based learning [TBL], and to list some of their applications and advantages. The success of these innovative teaching and learning methods at a large scale depends on few elements, probably the most important of which is the support of the higher administration and leadership in addition to the availability of "champions" who are committed to lead the change

[Impact of a communication skills audiovisual package on medical students' knowledge]

Over the last decade more emphasis is being put on teaching communication skills [CS]. Use of videos and role-play was suggested to improve CS. This article will present the impact of an audiovisual package on promoting the knowledge of medical students in CS. Seventy-five second year medical students - distributed into eight groups led by four facilitators - critiqued a video clip immediately before and after the introduction of a communication skills audiovisual package. The skills taught included opening the interview, questioning, facilitation, clarification, reflection, confrontation, summarizing, and preparation of the patient for the physical exam. The students, also, role-played the reviewed scenario. The students' pre- and post-intervention responses were analyzed using a standardized grading form. There was a significant improvement in students' knowledge [p < 0.000] after the introduction of the intervention in all the CS taught except closed ended questioning. This improvement was consistent among the four facilitators. Reviewing video scenarios and role-playing improved the knowledge in core communication skills among second-year medical students assessed by a video-based written examination

[Focus groups findings reveal barriers to teach communication skills to medical students]

In December 2002, 74 medical students in the second preclinical years at the American University of Beirut [AUB] attended a workshop on basic communication skills [CS]. The students watched video clips which demonstrated different communication skills and stages of the consultation, and role-played to try out ways they could improve the consultation. Their familiarity with the skills taught was assessed at the beginning of the workshop, immediately afterwards, and again six months later. There was a significant improvement noted immediately after the intervention but this apparent gain was lost at six months. Sixteen students, who attended the workshop, also attended two focus group discussions which were aimed to assess student recall of the communications skills workshop, and explore ways in which the students thought the knowledge gained could be maintained. In general students thought that lack of exposure to patients at the time when the CS course was held, and a lack of consistency in CS coupled with poor faculty CS role modeling hindered their ability to maintain and practice good CS. Teaching CS may be more effective if medical students are taught these skills when they are exposed to patients on a regular basis, and the training is maintained throughout the clinical years. However, more emphasis should be on reminding faculty members of their role as teachers and good communicating role models to students through workshops and seminars