Generation Z's Perception of Teaching Methods for the Study of Physical Assessment in the Healthcare Professions

It has been shown that an educational framework that combines different learning methods, in which students are both active and independent learners, significantly improves student achievement and satisfaction--and that this is especially true for Generation Z. For this study, we examined the following teaching methods in a Practical Kinesiology course: the flipped classroom, a digital app, and simulated patients. Our findings revealed that students greatly valued hands-on practice and advance learning, and this was borne out in the overall high final grades in the course and in self-reported confidence levels. Interestingly, regarding the technological component introduced in the course, students felt that the course app only moderately contributed to their learning, as students testified to the need for experiential learning to increase their confidence in performing clinical skills. The authors postulate, however, that the value of studying with the app will increase over time as students use it in the clinical setting. During the COVID-19 pandemic and moving forward, clinical courses in the health professions can most effectively be taught by using the flipped classroom model and by maximizing hands-on practical training.