Quantitative study of lecture attendance and the association between this attendance and academic outcomes for nursing and nonnursing students in an introductory pathophysiology course

Investigation of Veterinary Student and Faculty Perspectives of Factors Affecting In-Person Lecture Attendance

A proposal was submitted to our institution's curriculum committee to discontinue lecture livestreaming to increase attendance, and we performed a study to investigate factors affecting lecture attendance. In January 2022, the faculty and students were surveyed to explore their perspectives on the impact that student attendance has on both the student and faculty lecture experience. We included a subset of common questions to allow for comparison. For students, in-person lecture attendance was not largely influenced by content or delivery. Instead, most students indicated flexibility, preserving emotional well-being, optimizing efficiency, exams, and COVID-19 as important. Students also indicated that part-time jobs, caring for family or pets, and commuting were additional reasons to select a remote lecture experience. Faculty also recognized the impact of these factors on lecture attendance, but they were concerned about student learning and preparedness for clinics, and their own effectiveness and well-being as educators. Sixty-one percent of faculty agreed that low lecture attendance negatively impacted their overall professional satisfaction and 67% indicated that it decreased their enjoyment of teaching. Faculty mentioned missing real-time feedback from students and they expressed sadness at the loss of personal interactions. After reviewing results of the study, the curriculum committee voted to discontinue livestreaming of lectures. Although students provided strong feedback on the importance of flexibility, the committee agreed with faculty concerns. It remains to be determined whether lecture attendance increases because of this decision and preparedness for clinics should be objectively measured in the future.

An Examination of Mandatory Class Attendance and Academic Performance in a PharmD Program

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the relationship between a mandatory attendance policy (MAP) and grade point average (GPA), grade distribution, and course failures in a PharmD program. Student adherence to the MAP was also analyzed.

METHODS

A MAP was implemented in the 2021-2022 academic year. Pre- and post-MAP course grades were collected retrospectively, along with post-MAP attendance records and violations for MAP nonadherence. Due to curricular revisions, grade analyses were restricted to the first and third years.

RESULTS

Analysis of covariance revealed significant main and interaction effects of MAP and curriculum on unweighted GPA. Specifically, unweighted third-year GPA increased by 0.21 points post-MAP, while unweighted first-year GPA increased by 0.11 points. The MAP had a greater impact in the third year than in the first, as indicated by the significant interaction effect. For weighted GPA, analysis of covariance revealed a significant main effect for MAP but no significant main effect for curriculum or interaction effect. Specifically, the aggregate first- and third-year weighted GPA increased significantly by 0.14 GPA post-MAP. For final grades in third-year courses, the failure rate decreased significantly from 1.04% pre-MAP to 0.31% post-MAP, and likewise for first-year courses, from 3.14% pre-MAP to 1.73% post-MAP. Grade distributions improved at both the upper and lower ends post-MAP. Student adherence to the MAP in the 2 academic years following its implementation ranged from 93.2% in fall 2021 to 79.6% in spring 2023.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of a MAP warrants consideration by schools and colleges of pharmacy seeking to improve students' academic performance.

A study of factors affecting pass rates of level 5 written assessments for undergraduate adult nursing students

Nursing programmes were flexible during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering simulation to replace clinical hours and adjusting supervision and assessment. However, second-year students in two modules had lower results despite no changes to the material, team or delivery.

OBJECTIVES

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, on second-year adult nursing students who submitted written assignments, to analyse recurring patterns that could explain the failure rate.

METHOD

Data were analysed from 265 university students to identify patterns of association in demographics, module results and student engagement indicators.

RESULTS

A positive correlation was found between age and assignment results, with older students achieving higher grades. Clustering identified three patterns of student engagement. Students demonstrating engagement with all aspects of the course (30.2%) performed significantly better than those in other clusters (P<0.001). Students with disabled student support recommendations performed notably worse than those without. All sizeable differences were resolved following the return to campus and the implementation of additional writing support.

DISCUSSION

Age, cross-medium engagement and preparation were all shown to have an impact on marks. These findings can influence how higher education institutions drive and monitor engagement, as this study suggests that all parts of a blended learning approach are equally important.

Differences between students in various programs in a biochemistry course in lecture attendance, engagement, and academic outcomes

The positive relationship between lecture attendance and academic outcomes may be changing in the era of lecturing recordings. The objective of the study was to test this and to determine whether it varied between student cohorts. Consenting students in biochemistry from pharmacy, biomedical science, medical laboratory science, and nutrition programs, which had access to lecture recordings, signed in when attending lectures. Attendance was related to academic outcomes by regression analysis. Average attendance was low (≤19%) and declined significantly between years for most weeks. The students who attended ≥50% of lectures (≤17%) had higher marks than those that attended <50%. Overall regression analysis showed there were positive associations between most academic outcomes and lecture attendance or engagement (attendance and lecture recording access). However, these associations were weak or moderate for students in the pharmacy and biomedical science programs and were not apparent for students in the medical laboratory science and nutrition programs. In a separate survey, the most common reason for attending lectures was "I think I learn more by attending" and for not attending, was "Work commitments made it difficult to get to lectures." The main conclusion is that students of biochemistry should be encouraged to attend lectures, as the limited evidence suggests that attendance may still be associated with better academic outcomes and that some students find them beneficial.

Self-paced polling increases medical student engagement in recorded lectures and improves examination performance

Engaging preclinical medical students in the curriculum is challenging. To address this challenge, the investigators developed and implemented self-paced polling with recorded lectures, in which students answered audience response questions at their own pace. In 2021, we retrospectively assigned second-year medical students (N = 165) as Active or Inactive based on their answered polling questions. We subdivided the Active group into two groups, a Live group who predominantly responded to polling in live classes and a Self-paced group who predominantly used polling with recorded lectures. Outcomes were academic performance on customized National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) examinations and engagement. Compared with the Inactive group, the Self-paced group performed better on the customized NBME examination after extensive self-paced polling. Students answered a significantly larger proportion of questions correctly in self-paced polling compared with live polling. Students who used self-paced polling reported a positive experience and indicated they had emotional, behavioral, or cognitive engagement with the curriculum. This study introduces self-paced polling with recorded lectures, which medical educators can potentially use to enhance student engagement and academic performance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY More medical students utilize recorded lectures than live lectures. Self-paced polling questions allow students to participate while watching recorded lectures. Second-year medical students performed significantly better on examination after actively using the self-paced polling compared with inactive students. They also reported emotional, behavioral, and cognitive engagement with the course material while using the self-paced polling.

Predictors of undergraduate occupational therapy students' academic performance during the Covid-19 pandemic: A hierarchical regression analysis

BACKGROUND

The rapid switch to online learning in response to the Covid-19 pandemic affected occupational therapy students' education delivery. It is, therefore, important to investigate these impacts.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the potential predictors of academic performance in undergraduate occupational therapy students after moving to online or blended learning post-Covid-19.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 208 students from three Australian universities completed a demographic questionnaire and the Distance Education Learning Environment Scale (DELES). Hierarchical linear regression analyses were completed to identify significant students' academic performance predictors.

RESULTS

Hierarchical regression explained a cumulative total variance of 24.6% of students' academic performance. The following independent variables were significant predictors: DELES student autonomy (p = 0.033), number of hours per semester week dedicated to indirect online study (p = 0.003), number of hours per semester week dedicated to indirect offline study time (p = 0.034), gender (p = 0.005) and English as a first language (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings add to the knowledge base on the range of factors that have impacted occupational therapy students' academic performance during the Covid-19 pandemic.

SIGNIFICANCE

The outcomes will assist faculty in developing supportive and pedagogically sound learning modes across online, hybrid and traditional forms of instruction within occupational therapy curricula.

A blended learning exercise physiology theory module that supports student autonomy and improves academic performance

A limited number of studies have explored the impact of blended exercise physiology theory curricula on student learning and experience. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an exercise physiology blended learning theory module on student performance, engagement, and perceptions. The module, which comprised a range of elements (student guide, lecturer-recorded videos, supplementary videos, formative quizzes, workshops, and discussion forum), was implemented in a third-year subject taken by students in nonspecialist undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees. Students chose which elements to engage with to support their learning. Exam performance was assessed by comparing exam marks from fully face-to-face delivery to the blended delivery with an independent t test. Student perceptions were determined via an end-of-module questionnaire comprised of Likert-scale questions and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the Likert-scale responses, and qualitative content analysis was conducted on the open-ended responses. Student engagement with online resources was determined through analysis of access statistics from the learning management system. Student exam marks in the blended learning student group were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than in the face-to-face group, even though the questions were of a higher Bloom's level in the blended learning group. Students preferred blended delivery over fully face-to-face delivery. Most students accessed the student guide, lecturer-recorded videos, and quizzes, with supplementary videos, workshops, and discussion forums accessed by fewer students. In conclusion, a blended exercise physiology theory module improved student exam performance and was positively perceived by students, and engagement with the elements of the module was varied.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Few studies have explored the impact of blended delivery of exercise physiology theory curricula on student learning and experience. This study investigated the impact of a novel blended model on student learning and experience. The module comprised a range of elements (student guide, lecturer-recorded videos, supplementary videos, formative quizzes, workshops, and discussion forum), where students were able to choose which elements to engage with to support their learning.