Weekly Rotation of Facilitators to Improve Assessment of Group Participation in a Problem-based Learning Curriculum

• Published in: American journal of pharmaceutical education Vol. 70; no. 6; p. 127
• Main Authors: Hogan, Shirley, Adcock, Kim G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15.12.2006; American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
• Subjects: Curriculum; Education, Pharmacy - methods; Educational Measurement - methods; Humans; Instructional Design and Assessment; Problem-Based Learning - methods; Students, Pharmacy; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0002-9459; 1553-6467
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9459(24)08282-2

To determine whether implementing a rotating facilitator structure provides a reliable method of assessing group participation and assigning grades to third-professional year pharmacy students in a problem-based learning curriculum. In the 2004-2005 school year, a "one block, one facilitator" structure was replaced by a "weekly rotating facilitator" structure. Each student received a grade from the assigned facilitator each week. The 8 weekly grades were then averaged for a final course grade. Student grades were reviewed weekly and at the end of each block. Facilitators and students completed survey instruments at the end of each of four 8-week blocks. Student grades were reviewed, and the class average was compared to the class averages from the 2 previous years. For example, in block I the class average was 86 which compared to averages of 88 and 87 for 2002-03 and 2003-04 respectively. Survey data revealed a 40% agreement by facilitators in block I that student performance was improved compared to student performance prior to this change. This agreement increased to 71%, 72%, and 71% respectively for blocks II - IV. Student survey data at the end of the academic year supported weekly facilitator rotation and revealed that a majority of students agreed that exposure to a variety of facilitators enhanced their group participation. As confirmed by student grades and student and faculty members' feedback, the change to a rotating facilitator structure resulted in a reliable method of assigning student grades for group participation.