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Learner Preferences for Asynchronous Independent Learning Materials
Timothy J Bauler1, Brian P Higgins2, Neal R Chamberlain3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI USA.
Medical students prefer institution-generated asynchronous independent learning materials (AILM) that are succinct and include practice questions. They favor AILM over lectures for simple topics, with equal preference for complex topics.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Curriculum Development
- Learning Sciences
Background:
- Asynchronous independent learning materials (AILM) form a large part of medical school curricula.
- Learner perceptions and usage of AILM are not well understood, hindering effective curriculum design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate medical students' preferences for AILM formats and perceived efficacy.
- To understand traits that make AILM effective or ineffective for preclinical medical education.
Main Methods:
- A multi-institutional survey of medical students across diverse US medical schools.
- Utilized a mixed-methods phenomenological approach to explore student experiences with AILM.
Main Results:
- Students prefer AILM created by their own institution's faculty over curated resources.
- Preferred AILM delivery is a few days before application, valuing succinctness and practice questions most.
- AILM are preferred over lectures for simple topics; preference is equal for complex topics.
Conclusions:
- Faculty-generated, succinct AILM with practice questions, delivered pre-application, are optimal.
- Findings guide faculty in creating more effective AILM to meet learner needs in preclinical medical education.
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