Assess the Effectiveness of an Inquiry Based Learning Method in Microbiology for Undergraduate Medical Students

Two hours practical session in Microbiology for II MBBS students is most of the time monotonous, vague, teacher centric and not utilized time qualitatively by teaching faculty in conventional method. Inquiry-based learning is a form of active learning that starts by posing questions, problems or scenariosrather than simply presenting established facts or portraying a smooth path to knowledge. To determine the student’s performance & effectiveness of inquiry-based learning method over traditional practical method by comparing once. To study students’ and faculty perceptions about inquiry based learning (IBL) method Prospective interventional analytical study was conducted for II MBBS students in department of Microbiology for four months. After Ethical committee approval and informed consent randomized selected 100 students of II MBBS divided into two batches; one for didactic practical and one for interactive new inquiry based teaching learning method. Four topics ( Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium and M. tuberculosis) selected with 15 days interval from regular departmental teaching schedule. Structured the inquiry based questions to cover entire topic, post test papers and feedback forms and validated prior to start the study. Two hrs practical sessions divided into four parts. First half an hour introduction of the topic as routine didactic method, next half an hour we distributed the questions among students and told them to read, discuss and collect the information from the books or any other sources. Next half an hour discussed the questions and last half an hour conducted short test of 20 marks. Average score in tests was considered for analysis. Mean score was calculated and unpaired t test was applied. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistical significance. Students’ and faculty perceptions about inquiry based learning (IBL) method determined by taking questionnaire based feedback using Likert scale at the end of all four sessions. Mean score for topic Staphylococcus taken in traditional way was 9.02 with SD of 2.3 and that taken by the interactive inquiry based learning method was 14.6 with SD of 2.8 and t value 11.1. Mean score for topic Streptococcus taken in traditional way was 8.94 with SD of 2.6 and that taken by the interactive inquiry based learning method was 14.6 with SD of 2.9 and t value 10.2. Mean score for topic Corynebacterium taken in traditional way was 9.48 with SD of 2.4 and that taken by the interactive inquiry based learning method was 14.0 with SD of 2.7 and t value 8.8. Mean score for topic M. tuberculosis taken in traditional way was 9.38 with SD of 2.7 and that taken by the interactive inquiry based learning method was 14.2 with SD of 3.0 and t value 8.4. Improvement in the performance of the students was observed. Mean score was statistically significant (p value is 0.001) in all four topics conducted by interactive inquiry based learning method. Approximately 90% students agreed that the topic better taught in interactive inquiry based learning method and wanted to have more of such sessions.A positive feedback was received from the students and faculty members stated that the inquiry based learning method was very interesting and effective. The students were more alert, interested and receptive in the session. It helps how to utilized two hours practical time that enhance the interest of students and session become more interactive and informative. Student liked the method as it increases the interaction between teacher and students. It helps in integration of concepts and development of thinking skill. IBL method simplified and clarified concepts the topic, increased receptivity and questions increased attention span. It improves the confidence of teacher as well as students2.The study proved that inquiry based learning method is more effective than didactic method to understand the topic. Strengthen quality of teaching learning. Learners are encouraged to participate and interact.