1. A. Jamuna Rani et al., IJSID, 2012, 2 (5), 113-116
ISSN:2249-5347
IJSID
International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries An International peer
Review Journal for Science
Review Article Available online through www.ijsidonline.info
ALTERNATE TEACHING LEARNING METHODS-A WELCOME IDEA AMONG STUDENTS!
Dept. of Biochemistry, Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital, Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
A.Jamuna Rani*, Prof. Dr. A. J. Manjula Devi, Prof .Dr. S.V. Mythili, Dr.V.S. Kalaiselvi, Dr.B.Shanthi
Received: 26-08-2012 ABSTRACT
Teaching Biochemistry needs a lot of preparation to simplify the comprehension
Accepted: 13-10-2012
of the subject. This study was undertaken to compare as well as check the effectiveness of
two different teaching learning media. In a batch of 100 M.B.B.S students chemistry of
*Corresponding Author
proteins was taught to 50 students using a PowerPoint with animation. Another 50
students were taught using a black board and chalk aided with three dimensional models
of structures of proteins. At the end of the class an objective type assessment was
conducted. Also a feedback on the teaching learning media was collected. There wasn’t a
significant difference in the performance surely the use of models was welcome idea as it
was a change from the power point presentation. Then the next day the entire class had a
quick recap of the previous class using both the teaching media. After that a feedback was
collected and a majority of students voted for a combination of both media.
Key words: Teaching Learning methods, Models, Biochemistry, chalk. Power point
Address:
Name: INTRODUCTION
A Jamuna Rani
Place:
Channai, Tamil Nadu, India
E-mail:
ayyalujamuna@rediffmail.com
INTRODUCTION
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2. A. Jamuna Rani et al., IJSID, 2012, 2 (5), 113-116
Following the quotes of Sir William Osler in his book titled –The Student Life-“The successful teacher is no longer on a
INTRODUCTION
height pumping knowledge at high pressure into passive receptacles…He is a senior student anxious to help his juniors”
.(1)We as teachers are constantly thinking of innovative methods to make the class interesting for students. In medical
education trainers should expose students to variety of models, and help students set realistic expectations for their academic
accomplishments. (2), (3) As a result the education of undergraduate medical students has been continually enhanced through
innovative teaching methods. Moreover different aspects of Teaching-learning media, which allows interaction and help recall
ought to be assessed for each batch of students encouraged among the faculties of each department. (4)&(5) With this
background in mind we tried to assess the feedback of students on two different teaching-learning media.
To assess the effectiveness of two different teaching-learning Medias by conducting an interventional study in the
Aim of the study
medical college programs.
Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethical committee for this study and further students consent
Materials and Methods
was also taken after briefing them on the need for the study. I M.B.B.S students were made to be seated in an alphabetical
order. The first 45 were grouped as A and the remaining students were grouped as B. This was done to ensure randomization.
1. Age group: 16-17 yrs.
2. Lecture on: Chemistry of proteins.
3. 2 different teaching-learning media used
a. PowerPoint presentation to teach A group
4. Number of students: 45 students (23 girls and 22 boys).
a. Blackboard and chalk aided with 3 D Models to teach B group.
5. Number of students: 43 students 22 girls and 21 boys
6. An objective type pretest and posttest were given to the students. Also a feedback of the class was collected.
Statistical analysis was done using SPSS package.
Results
To ensure that neither group of the students miss the media used the same class was revised to the entire class during

the next session using a combination of power point, black board chalk and 3D models, After the session using the
combination of two different media. The combination of PowerPoint, blackboard and chalk aided with models was rated best
by 58 percent students. PowerPoint alone by 26 percent students, Blackboard and chalk aided with 3D models by16 percent
students.
The results are suggestive that a lecture could be best when there is a combination of two or more media. Similar to
Discussion
the finding of Dhaliwal.U.(6). A Few comments of the students in the feedback
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3. A. Jamuna Rani et al., IJSID, 2012, 2 (5), 113-116
Table 1 Mean of pre test and post test marks
GROUP A B
PRE TEST 2.82 2.90
POST TEST 4.86 5.61
“A class with models and chalk is the best way to explain concepts in biochemistry; makes understanding easier”
“Whatever is the 3D model or Power Point class the combination of teaching media along with good basics and clear
fluency is awesome.”
“Power point was good but the model explanation was easy to understand and visualize in mind”
“Preferably a combination of both with less of Power Point presentation”
The difference in performance of students was not statistically significant. The idea of models was a welcome among
many students. This paper was presented and awarded the best paper at the national Medical Education conference
MEDUCON 2011 by NTTC JIPMER Pondicherry on the 1st & 2nd of October. The comment of the chairperson was that such
methodology of using 3D models would help the slow learners.
At the end of the class our inference was to use teaching learning aids wherever applicable and that combination of
CONCLUSION
two or more media makes the lecture interesting.(7)(8)&(9). As taught to us in medical education that enormous efforts
should go into the preparation for a class we have decided to spend time in making models wherever applicable. We propose
to repeat this teaching protocol for the coming batches and proceed the study further.
We thank all the first year medical students of 2011-2012 batch of Sree Balaji Medical College for their participation
ACKNOWLEGEMENT
in this study
1. Satendra Singh,Savita Singh,Shika Gautam Teaching styles and approaches: medical students perceptions of animation-
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