The One2One Structured Oral Examination is a Valuable and Positively Rated Science Education Tool that Drives Academic Success.

Abstract

Structured oral examinations (SOEs) result in higher test scores than traditional written assessments, but there lacks reproducible quantitative evidence supporting knowledge acquisition and retention. A modified SOE—called the One2One—whereby students present prepared answers to an instructor was evaluated for effectiveness in large classes despite its resource-intensive nature. This study used a post-assessment survey (Efficacy Assessment Survey, EAS) to measure the effect of the One2One on knowledge acquisition and retention, as well as student perceptions of its usefulness and perceived value. The One2One helped students learn and retain content better than by didactic lecture alone as demonstrated by significantly higher scores on One2One content as compared to control content (p<0.05) on the EAS (t-test) and this knowledge was retained until the end of the semester as measured by regression analysis. A previously identified drawback of SOEs is student-reported anxiety, however students’ perception of the SOEs’ usefulness and value are understudied. Here, thematic analysis of student feedback identified the One2One as being useful, a driver of learning, and of high professional value, albeit stressful. Though more resource intensive than traditional assessment methods, the One2One is a positively rated, authentic evaluation tool that motivates student learning.