Evaluating the Group Debate Activity as a Student-Centered Approach in Microbiology Course for PharmD Students: An Observational Study

Figures & data

Table 1 The List of Topics in Microbiology That Were Provided to the Debate Sessions

Topics	Number of Sessions
-Childhood vaccinations are compulsory and effective in eradicating childhood infectious diseases.	4
-The effect of using disinfectant (triclosan) in the development of antimicrobial resistance	1
-The benefit of probiotic for health	1
-The effect of seasonal Influenza vaccine	2
-The impact of food preservatives on health	1
-Using bacterial toxins for cosmetics purposes	1

Table 2 The Rubric for the Assessment of Each Student in the Team During the Debate

Student Name: Group	A – Presentation, Use of Scientific Language	B – Depth of Knowledge	C – Organization and Collaborating with Others in the Group	D – Development of Idea (Using Advanced and Recent Knowledge)	Total
	Was the student able to present the idea in a logical way and discuss the topic using microbiological aspects?	Did the student discussed the idea with a commendable depth of knowledge, prepared and research supported by scientific references?	Was the student able to organize and collaborate carefully with the others in the group?	Did the student develop the complex idea between the group and the formation of good arguments?

Table 3 Post-Debate Questionnaire That Was Distributed in This Study

Questions	Response
1. Before the debate, how did you feel about the topic of the debate? Mark the best description that match your point of view.	Strongly agree with the defender Agree with the defender Neutral Agree with the objector Strongly agree with the objector
2. How did you feel about the topic after the debate?	Strongly agree with the defender Agree with the defender Neutral Agree with the objector Strongly agree with the objector
3. “This group debate improved my understanding of the topics that discussed during this activity” Please rate how did you feel regarding this statement	Open question
4. Please provide three things that you learned from this debate.	Open question

Figure 1 The percentage of the students that calculated from the questionnaire of post-debate measuring the students’ perception before and after the debate in all sessions.

Table 4 The Percentage of the Students Who Changed Their Opinion and Improved Understanding of Each Topics

Topics	No. of Students	Percentage Students Who Changed Their Opinion from Before and After the Debate	Percentage of Student Who Thinks the Debate Improved their Understanding
Childhood vaccinations are compulsory and effective in eradicating childhood infectious diseases.	38	71.05	97.37
The effect of using disinfectant (triclosan) in the development of antimicrobial resistance	6	66.67	83.33
The benefit of probiotic for health	6	83.33	33.3
The seasonal Influenza vaccine	14	21.43	14.29
The impact of food preservatives on health	6	50	83.33
Using bacterial toxins for cosmetics purposes	6	83.33	83.33