INTRODUCTION OF PROBLEM BASED LEARNING IN MICROBIOLOGY TEACHING TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Background: Problem Based Learning [PBL] is one of the approaches which use learning material to help students learn, and apply knowledge. Objectives:1] To develop and implement PBL. 2] To compare performance of second year MBBS students exposed to PBL and lecture-based learning.3] To collect feedbacks and analyses the perception. Methodology: Second year MBBS students who gave consent were enrolled in this study. In total 4 groups of 8 students each were formed. One group was taught by the traditional learning approach while problem-based learning was conducted for the other 3 groups on the same topic. At the end of sessions, the performance of the all the groups was evaluated by Post-test. The perception of students towards PBL was obtained through feedback Result: The post test score among PBL groups students were higher as compared to Traditional Lecture based group students. The PBL experimental and traditional lecture control groups differed in their mean post-test scores (P < 0.05), wherein the PBL group showed higher scores than the Traditional Lecture group. In present study, 100% Students believed that PBL helped the students to clear basic concepts of microbiology and 91% felt that PBL improved their self-study skills. Conclusion: PBL is effective teaching method in comparison to traditionallecture based teaching method.