Abstract
BackgroundTutoring is a useful tool in the university teaching-learning binomial, although its development is impaired in large classes. Recent improvements in information and communication technologies have made tutoring possible via the Internet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mixed-method academic tutoring in two basic subjects in Veterinary Science studies at the University of León (Spain) to optimize the usefulness of tutoring support in the college environment. This quasi-experimental study was firstly carried out as a pilot study in a small group of tutored students of “Cytology and Histology” (CH) (47/186; 25.3%) and “Veterinary Pharmacology” (VP) (33/141; 23.4%) subjects, and was implemented in a large class of CH the next academic year (150 students) while comparing the results with those obtained in a previous tutorless course (162 students). Tutored students were given access to online questionnaires with electronic feedback on each subject. In addition to traditional tutoring carried out in both tutored and tutorless students, the pilot study included three sessions of face-to-face tutoring in order to monitor the progress of students. Its efficacy was assessed by monitoring students’ examination scores and attendance as well as a satisfaction survey.ResultsAlthough the examination attendance rate in the pilot study was not significantly different between tutored and tutorless groups in both subjects, an increase for numerical scores in tutored groups was observed, with a significant higher final score in VP (p = 0.001) and in the CH practice exams (first term, p = 0.009; final, p = 0.023). Good and merit scores were also better in tutored students with significant differences in VP (p = 0.005). Students felt comfortable with the tutoring service (100% in CH; 91.7% in VP). Implementation of this additional support in CH also resulted in a significant increase of attendance at the final exam in tutored courses (87.3% versus 77.2%; p = 0.026), scaled (p = 0.001) and numerical scores (final score, p = 0.001).ConclusionsOnline tutoring support, together with conventional teaching methods, may be a useful method to incorporate student-centered learning in basic subjects in Veterinary Science.
Highlights
Tutoring is a useful tool in the university teaching-learning binomial, its development is impaired in large classes
This study was possible thanks to students enrolled in two basic subjects taught at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences of the University of León (Spain): “Cytology and Histology” (CH) and “Veterinary Pharmacology” (VP)
Pilot study Answer to online questionnaires and results The highest response rates of tutored students were reached in CH for the first and third online questionnaires, reaching 87.2 and 83.0% respectively as opposed to the second one, which was only answered by 53.2% of undergraduates
Summary
Tutoring is a useful tool in the university teaching-learning binomial, its development is impaired in large classes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mixed-method academic tutoring in two basic subjects in Veterinary Science studies at the University of León (Spain) to optimize the usefulness of tutoring support in the college environment This quasi-experimental study was firstly carried out as a pilot study in a small group of tutored students of “Cytology and Histology” (CH) (47/186; 25.3%) and “Veterinary Pharmacology” (VP) (33/141; 23.4%) subjects, and was implemented in a large class of CH the academic year (150 students) while comparing the results with those obtained in a previous tutorless course (162 students). At Spanish University, where every teacher is by law obliged to dedicate 6 h a week to tutoring activities, time allocated to this practice has long been used to solve students’ queries [4] It is usually carried out in face-to-face settings in which tutor and students meet at an agreed time and location. At least in Spain, that most students do not benefit from tutoring hours as they do not find them helpful and they do not match their needs
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