Student Information Resource Utilization in Problem-Based Learning

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the profile of medical students’ resource use in a longitudinal problem-based learning course and to examine patterns of change. Method: Over a six-month period, 116 students indicated on resource checklists which resources they had used for independent research of learning issues identified in their problem-based learning sessions. On the checklist, resources were categorized as printed, electronic, human, or physical evidence (i.e., models, demonstrations). Results: Over the six-month period, the percentage of use (number of times a resource category was used / number of weekly reports submitted) declined from 64.0% printed, 81.7% electronic, and 4.3% physical to 44.0%, 69.8%, and 3.9%, respectively. Use of human resources increased from 29.1% to 36.6%. Use of a variety of resources (resources from ³2 categories of resources) also declined.