Inquiry learning-An effective E learning approach for knowledge retention

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has given pace to the existing E-learning methods in medical education. Prerecorded video lectures (LL) and online inquiry learning (IL) are two online teaching learning methods. In online recorded classes, more of a teacher centric learning happens. Inquiry learning, a problem based learning method, the learning process is student centric. It is important to find out which one of these virtual approaches to teaching and learning is having a better outcome to plan the delivery of academic contents more effectively.Aim and Objective: To determine whether online inquiry based learning or lecture based learning is more effective education method in Phase 1 MBBS students. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 100 students from phase 1 MBBS who gave written informed consent. They had undergone LL and IL for three sets of topics in Physiology of equal difficulty level each. Knowledge acquisition and retention of knowledge by each method were assessed by multiple choice tests conducted soon after intervention and two weeks later and the marks were analyzed using independent student T test.