Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
13:44
Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
Using innovative group-work activities to enhance the problem-based learning experience for dental students.
R Grady1, I Gouldsborough, E Sheader
1Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Summary
Problem-based learning (PBL) in dental education was enhanced with a new activity session. This session improved students' subject understanding, problem-solving skills, and teamwork, receiving positive feedback from students and staff.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Dental Education
- Curriculum Development
Background:
- Problem-based learning (PBL) is established in medical and dental curricula for skill development.
- Existing PBL often lacks direct practice and feedback opportunities for transferable skills.
- The Manchester Dental Programme (TMDP) is a 5-year integrated enquiry-led curriculum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To redesign the PBL course by incorporating a unique "Session 4" activity.
- To assess student and staff perceptions of the new PBL activity.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the activity in enhancing skills and knowledge.
Main Methods:
- Developed unique group activities for "Session 4" based on self-study material.
- Awarded summative marks reflecting teamwork, organization, and group capabilities.
- Collected student and staff perceptions via questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Student response to "Session 4" activities was overwhelmingly positive.
- Students found activities fun, challenging, worthwhile, and beneficial for subject understanding.
- Activities enhanced problem-solving, knowledge application, and identified learning gaps.
Conclusions:
- The "Session 4" activities are effective educational tools for PBL.
- These activities enhance subject comprehension and practical skill development in dental students.
- The model is adaptable for PBL courses across various disciplines.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care. Here are a few more healthcare professionals.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care.
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
01:37Social Loafing
Another way in which a group presence can affect performance is social loafing—the exertion of less effort by a person working together with a group. Social loafing occurs when our individual performance cannot be evaluated separately from the group. Thus, group performance declines on easy tasks (Karau & Williams, 1993). Essentially individual group members loaf and let other group members pick up the slack. Because each individual’s efforts cannot be evaluated, individuals become less...