TITLE:
Impact of a Practical Skills Assessment on the Individual Engagement of Undergraduate Pharmacy Students within Laboratory Coursework Sessions
AUTHORS:
Susanne P. Boyle
KEYWORDS:
Practical Skills Assessment; MPharm Degree; Formative Assessment; Peer Learning
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.3 No.6A,
October
25,
2012
ABSTRACT: This study reports on the learner impact, practicability and cost effectiveness of an individual practical skills test designed to assess the interpretative and manipulative skills of undergraduate pharmacy in a laboratory setting. The reliability of the assessment tool across a 5 year period was examined and refinements introduced in response to constructive feedback from colleagues and learner feedback recorded via end of year Student Evaluation Questionnaires. A blended learning strategy supported the needs of multiple learning styles and inclusion of a formative assessment increased student confidence and improved cohort performance in the summative assessment. Future directions include the introduction of a peer learning activity as a means of reducing group sizes and providing an opportunity for the learners to develop skills in constructive critique and reflective learning.