Integrating Lecture and Laboratory in Health Sciences Courses Improves Student Satisfaction and Performance

Abstract

Students often struggle in introductory health sciences courses; some students have difficulty in upper level classes. To address this, we converted three lecture/lab courses, traditionalfirst-year Anatomy and Physiology (A&P I), upper level Biomechanics, and upper level Microbiology to an integrated studio model. We used the Student Assessment of Learning Gains perceptual survey to assess student and instructor reactions to the change and analyzed rates of unsatisfactory grades and quiz performance. Reaction (220 students, 15 instructors) to the new model was highly positive, and performance improvement was seen. Student perceptions were consistent across courses and agreed closely with instructor perceptions. Performance improvements were seen in reduced C-, D, F, W (Withdrawal) rates in A&P. There was no clear pattern in quiz performance, despite reduced in-class time. With typically high grades in upper level courses, we saw no change in performance in biomechanics, while student satisfaction was high in biomechanics and in microbiology. These results, with increased efficiency in staffing time and scheduling, have led us to convert all department lecture-lab courses to the studio format.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kevin Finn

Kevin Finn is an associate professor, Department of Health Sciences at Merrimack College in Andover, Massachusetts.

Kathleen FitzPatrick

Kathleen FitzPatrick ([email protected]) is Emeritus Professor, Department of Health Sciences at Merrimack College in Andover, Massachusetts.

Zi Yan

Zi Yan is an assistant professor, Department of Health Sciences at Merrimack College in Andover, Massachusetts.