Confidence as a barrier to the use of problem-based learning in veterinary undergraduate students

Tarlinton, Rachael E.; Yon, Lisa; Klisch, Karl; Tötemeyer, Sabine; Gough, Kevin C.

Abstract

Problem-based or case-based learning is a popular method of instruction in clinical degrees such as veterinary science, nursing, and medicine. It is difficult, however, for students to adapt to this learning method, and this difficulty has been well described. The present study surveyed first-year undergraduate veterinary students at the University of Nottingham about the challenges they faced upon beginning problem-based learning sessions. A surprisingly large percentage of students (36% of females and 38% of males) reported a lack of confidence in speaking in front of the other students as a concern they experienced during their first term. Conversely, only 10% of the female students (and none of the male students) reported overconfidence as a problem. This is in contrast to the perceptions of the staff members who facilitated the sessions who reported that 14% of the students exhibited underconfidence and 14% exhibited overconfidence. The difference between the female and male students' responses as well as the difference between the perceptions of students and those of facilitators is statistically significant (G-test p

Citation

Tarlinton, R. E., Yon, L., Klisch, K., Tötemeyer, S., & Gough, K. C. (2011). Confidence as a barrier to the use of problem-based learning in veterinary undergraduate students. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 38(3), 305-310

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Feb 28, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
• Print ISSN: 0748-321X
• Electronic ISSN: 1943-7218
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 305-310
• Keywords: instructional methods, problem-based learning, small-group teaching, student characteristics, first-year experience
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3116457
• Publisher URL: https://utppublishing.com/doi/full/10.3138/jvme.38.3.305