. Manni Balasubramaniam Sudharsanam
Volume 4, Issue 2 , May 2014, , Pages 1-3
Abstract
Background: Topics on environmental health are usually neglected by students and it is necessaryfor them to learn this area with a public health perspective as environment plays a vital ...
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Background: Topics on environmental health are usually neglected by students and it is necessaryfor them to learn this area with a public health perspective as environment plays a vital role inmulti‑factorial causation of diseases. Hence there is a need for alternative teaching/learningmethods to facilitate students in acquiring the required knowledge. Objectives: To increase thestudent interest and enhance their participation in acquiring knowledge in public health perspectiveof environmental health. Teaching Objectives/Learning Were: At the end of the session studentsshould know the importance of air as an environmental factor in disease causation in specialreference to public health hazards, the major sources of air pollution, major pollutants causing thehealth hazards, the way to measure pollutants and control them. Materials and Methods: Thewhole class of students was divided into two batches and one session was planned for eachbatch. Each batch was divided into six small groups. The groups were given task of exploringthe internet on the different topics mentioned in the learning objectives. All the students wereasked to explore, compile information and collectively prepare a presentation and present theirfindings based on their reviews. Students’ feedback was collected at the end of each session.Results: Eighty five percent of them were clear about the learning objectives and interested aboutinternet learning. Most of them gave a positive opinion about the newer teaching learning method.Conclusions: Internet assisted group study served as a valuable alternative, innovative, andinteresting tool to teach and learn the environmental health as revealed by students’ feedback.
