Informing Personalised Gamification Interventions Through a Novel Gamified Quiz

Nonadherence to medical interventions and other advice leads to increased care costs and poorer health outcomes across a range of medical fields. An approach to increasing adherence is gamification. To maximize the benefits of gamification, a more structured and informed implementation is required. In this paper, a novel web-based personality determiner has been outlined, the integration of which could provide the personalisation required for an optimized gamification implementation.

Impact of an Online Question Bank on Resident In-Training Exam Performance

OBJECTIVE

In-training exams (ITEs) are administered annually to Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) residents and have been demonstrated to correlate with success on licensing examinations. Our study objective was to determine the impact of a question bank and mock exam on the performance of Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) ITEs. Secondarily, we investigated the correlation between the extent of question bank usage and performance on the exam.

METHODS

Pre-post intervention study of resident performance on CREOG ITE before and after implementation of the question bank and mock ITE at Indiana University in 2018. Performance was measured as year-to-year improvement in percent correct on ITE exams. Scores were excluded if a resident did not have a prequestion bank score report or if they did not sit for all eligible ITE exams.

RESULTS

There were 51 OBGYN residents at Indiana University during the study period, with 38 available for analysis (75%). Before implementation, average year-to-year improvement for PGY1-2, PGY2-3 and PGY3-4 classes were 0.60%, 1.0% and -1.6%, respectively. After implementation, all resident classes had significant improvements in ITE scores of 6.6% (P < .01), 9.0% (P < .01), and 7.2% (P < .01), respectively. There was a moderate program-wide correlation between the number of questions completed and the percent improvement on the ITE of R = 0.36 (P = .046).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that access to a question bank and mock ITE significantly improved CREOG ITE performance of OBGYN residents at Indiana University.

To Quiz or to Shoot When Practicing Grammar? Catching and Holding the Interest of Child Learners: A Field Study

Learning grammar requires practice and practicing grammar can be boring. We examined whether an instructional game with intrinsically integrated game mechanics promotes this practice: compared to rote learning through a quiz. We did so "in the field." Tens of thousands children visited, in their leisure time, a public website with tens of attractive online games for children during a 6-week-long period. Of these children, 11,949 picked voluntarily our grammar training intervention. Thereafter, unbeknown to them, they were assigned either to the game or the quiz condition. By means of learning analytics, we examined variables related to participants' persistence and performance. The results showed large participant drop-out before completing the first level in both conditions (42.2%), confirming the boringness of the topic. More children completed at least one level in the game compared to the quiz (61.8 vs. 53.6%). However, more children completed the intervention (all six levels) with the quiz (6.0 vs. 4.3%). In the game, children answered fewer questions correctly (36.3 vs. 47.4) and made more errors compared to the quiz (16.1 vs. 13.1). These findings suggest that even if a game initially catches user attention, it may not hold it. Plus, even if it is a minimalistic game with intrinsic integration of learning and playing, it may be distractive. We conclude that persistence in practicing grammar may be driven by other means than by a game's shooting mechanics; for instance, by a desire to learn the topic and a feeling of achievement or by quizzing mechanics.

Flipped or traditional online teaching? Two different strategies to handle teaching in nursing education during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in academic achievement between two groups of students who were taught the same course online within the nursing program but through two different teaching strategies and to examine the students' attitudes towards flipped classroom.

METHODS

Online lectures using Zoom was given to teach a course regarding the immune system and another course was taught the same subject in flipped classroom approach using video lectures followed by seminars. Academic achievement were compared between the groups, and perspectives on flipped classroom were investigated using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

The main findings were that participation in flipped classroom seminars had a positive effect on academic achievement (OR 2.3 (CI [1.001-5.1]), and that students preferred the flipped classroom approach over traditional lectures.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that a student centered teaching strategy like flipped classroom is an effective way to increase the students' engagement and academic achievements.

Use of modern technology in psychiatry training in a middle-income country

Recent advances in information technology (IT) provided us with novel teaching solutions, with the potential of a new enhanced learning experience, that is, more adapted to the needs and preferences of the younger generations of psychiatric trainees. These tools include the use of online/virtual whiteboards, live surveys/polls, live quizzes, virtual classrooms, and virtual reality. In the present paper, we describe the implementation of modern technology in psychiatric training in Tunisia, a North-African middle-income country. We discuss the potential benefits arising from this implementation, and we report the challenges and difficulties. Overall, the implementation of these modern technology-based tools in psychiatric training has been successful, with a very few obstacles. It seems that the integration of these novel approaches is possible even in middle and low-income countries without much hassle. These tools can enhance trainees' participation, motivation, and engagement, thereby potentially improving learning outcomes. Most disadvantages are related to potential technical glitches, and are likely to improve as technology progresses. Teaching is the art of tailoring the educational tools to the learning objectives and to the learners' characteristics and preferences. To achieve optimal learning outcomes, it is often needed to use a mixture of different "modern" and "less modern" techniques.

Extrinsically Integrated Instructional Quizzes in Learning Games: An Educational Disaster or Not?

Instructional quizzes are frequently used in educational games. When they present correct answers after learners have responded, these quizzes can be used on their own for teaching new factual and conceptual knowledge (no additional learning materials are needed). In games, these quizzes are often unrelated to gameplay: gameplay can be viewed as a reward for answering quiz questions. This has been criticized in game-based learning literature as a “chocolate-covered-broccoli” approach. However, is it really a bad approach? Theories offer conflicting predictions concerning the instructional efficiency of in-game quizzes relative to bare quizzes (i.e., not embedded in games) and empirical literature is lacking. Here, we present a within-subject design study (N = 69), in which 10–12-year-olds learn from both an in-game quiz and a bare quiz and undergo immediate and 2–3 weeks delayed post-test on the quiz questions. A modest difference in learning outcomes favoring the bare quiz was found in the immediate post-tests (d = 0.46), but not in the 2–3 weeks delayed post-tests (d = 0.09). Children enjoyed the game more than the bare quiz (d_z = 0.65) and 59 preferred the game in the free-choice period. The findings suggest that both a bare quiz and a quiz within a game have their place at the table for useful educational interventions: the bare quiz should be preferred in schooling contexts; whereas, the game in leisure time situations as a voluntary activity. In the latter case, it should be considered how the game and the quiz are integrated.

Medical students' perception on the usefulness of online formative assessment: A single-center, mixed-method, pilot study

BACKGROUND

Distance digital learning is newly implemented in the Indian medical institutions. Formative assessment is also conducted online. In this context, this study aimed at finding the perception on the usefulness of online formative assessment along with online classes among 1st-year medical students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in August 2020. The students were exposed to online classes and online formative assessments with five multiple choice questions for a period of 4 months before the conduct of the survey. An online survey was conducted (both quantitative and qualitative data collection) to ascertain the perception on the online formative assessment quiz.

RESULTS

A total of 36 (14 female, 21 male, 1 did not disclose sex) 1st-year medical students with a mean age of 19.97 ± 1.16 years participated in the survey. The majority of the students agreed that the online quiz was a valuable learning activity and has potential to replace the face-to-face assessment. The online quizzes provided them feedback of classroom learning and helped in identifying the weak area and motivated students to the study. The qualitative data showed that students like to get a greater number of questions and also like to participate in chapter wise multiple quizzes in spare time.

CONCLUSION

First-year medical students considered the online formative assessments quiz coupled with the online classes as a valuable learning activity. It provided them feedback of learning and a motivation for further study on the topic. They like to participate in anonymous quiz with a greater number of questions with online classes. The finding of this pilot study should be further evaluated with multicenter study with more participants.

Engaging medical undergraduates in question making: a novel way to reinforcing learning in physiology

The monotony of conventional didactic lectures makes students less attentive toward learning, and they tend to memorize isolated facts without understanding, just for the sake of passing exams. Therefore, to promote a habit of gaining indepth knowledge of basic sciences in medical undergraduates along with honing of their communication and analytical skills, we introduced this more interactive way of learning. The present study was performed on 99 first-semester medical students. After conventional didactic lectures, students were asked to prepare small conceptual questions on the topic. They were divided into two teams, which were made to ask questions to each other. If a team failed to answer, the student who questioned was supposed to answer to the satisfaction of the other team's student. Data were then obtained by getting feedback from the students on a 10-item questionnaire, and statistical evaluation was done using MS Excel and SPSS. To draft questions, students went through the whole system comprehensively and made questions from every possible aspect of the topic. Some of the questions (30%) were of recall type, but most judged higher cognitive domains. Student feedback revealed that they were satisfied, motivated to read more, and were confident of applying this learning and communication skills in future clinical practice. Students also expressed their desire to implement this activity as a regular feature of the curriculum. The activity resulted in an increase in student perceptions of their knowledge on the topic as well as communicative and analytical skills. This may eventually lead to better learning.

A walk to remember: Endocrine Society of India Torrent Young Scholar Award East Zonal round 2015

This letter aims to bring out a few highlights and the experiences of the participants, audience, quizmasters, and the judges at Endocrine Society of India Torrent Young Scholar Award East Zonal round 2015 held in Kolkata on 6(th) September, 2015.

Finding the best glaucoma questionnaire: a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of glaucoma knowledge assessments

Objective

The goal of the study was to determine which glaucoma quiz provides the best information about patient glaucoma knowledge to clinicians in clinical practice settings.

Methods

Four glaucoma quizzes were identified from the literature and national eye education programs and were qualitatively analyzed to categorize questions by topic. Quizzes were assessed by 64 glaucoma specialists using an online survey, with descriptive statistics. Comments about the quizzes were analyzed qualitatively using themes and representative quotations.

Results

Quizzes covered content that was important for glaucoma diagnosis and management. The National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) and Prevent Blindness America quizzes covered primarily diagnosis, screening, and risk factors, and the quizzes from the literature primarily covered causes of glaucoma, vision loss, eye drops, and systemic disease. Overall, the NEHEP quiz was ranked best for clinical practice, ranked first by 38%. Ranked second overall, the Gray quiz was ranked first by 34% and last by 34%.

Conclusion

The NEHEP quiz was rated most useful for assessing baseline general glaucoma knowledge for a busy clinical practice. The Gray quiz appears to be more useful as part of a comprehensive education program, perhaps in combination with an ophthalmic educator.

Medical student web-based formative assessment tool for renal pathology

BACKGROUND

Web-based formative assessment tools have become widely recognized in medical education as valuable resources for self-directed learning.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the educational value of formative assessment using online quizzes for kidney pathology learning in our renal pathophysiology course.

METHODS

Students were given unrestricted and optional access to quizzes. Performance on quizzed and non-quizzed materials of those who used ('quizzers') and did not use the tool ('non-quizzers') was compared. Frequency of tool usage was analyzed and satisfaction surveys were utilized at the end of the course.

RESULTS

In total, 82.6% of the students used quizzes. The greatest usage was observed on the day before the final exam. Students repeated interactive and more challenging quizzes more often. Average means between final exam scores for quizzed and unrelated materials were almost equal for 'quizzers' and 'non-quizzers', but 'quizzers' performed statistically better than 'non-quizzers' on both, quizzed (p=0.001) and non-quizzed (p=0.024) topics. In total, 89% of surveyed students thought quizzes improved their learning experience in this course.

CONCLUSIONS

Our new computer-assisted learning tool is popular, and although its use can predict the final exam outcome, it does not provide strong evidence for direct improvement in academic performance. Students who chose to use quizzes did well on all aspects of the final exam and most commonly used quizzes to practice for final exam. Our efforts to revitalize the course material and promote learning by adding interactive online formative assessments improved students' learning experience overall.

The endocrine quiz

With the recent explosion in endocrine conferences, audience fatigue has set in and conference planners are now looking at newer pedagogic methods to revive the interest of audiences in these conferences. The endocrine quiz has finally come of vogue and is increasingly becoming one of the most popular attractions of any ranking endocrine conference. The endocrine quiz has a large and varied palette and draws questions from religious scriptures, history, literature, current affairs, sports, movies and basic and paramedical sciences. The more we delve into the quizzable aspects of endocrinology, the more we realize that endocrinology is ubiquitous and there is no sphere in human life untouched by endocrine disorders. Be it epic characters like Kumbhakarna and Bheema, fiction characters like Tintin or Orphan Annie, sportspersons like Gail Devers or heads of state like George Bush Sr and Boris Yeltsin, all have contributed to the melting pot of endocrine quizzing. Adding further grist to the endocrine mill are the Nobel prizes, with their attendant anecdotes and controversies. Step into this world of endocrine quizzing to have an up close and personal look at the diverse facets of this subject.

Motivating student learning using a formative assessment journey

Providing formative assessment opportunities has been recognised as a significant benefit to student learning. The outcome of any formative assessment should be one that ultimately helps improve student learning through familiarising students with the levels of learning required, informing them about gaps in their learning and providing feedback to guide the direction of learning. This article provides an example of how formative assessments can be developed into a formative assessment journey where a number of different assessments can be offered to students during the course of a module of teaching, thus utilising a spaced-education approach. As well as incorporating the specific drivers of formative assessment, we demonstrate how approaches deemed to be stimulating, interactive and entertaining with the aim of maximising enthusiasm and engagement can be incorporated. We provide an example of a mixed approach to evaluating elements of the assessment journey that focuses student reaction, appraisal of qualitative and quantitative feedback from student questionnaires, focus group analysis and teacher observations. Whilst it is not possible to determine a quantifiable effect of the assessment journey on student learning, usage data and student feedback shows that formative assessment can achieve high engagement and positive response to different assessments. Those assessments incorporating an active learning element and a quiz-based approach appear to be particularly popular. A spaced-education format encourages a building block approach to learning that is continuous in nature rather than focussed on an intense period of study prior to summative examinations.