Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Medical students’ perception on the usefulness of online formative assessment: A single‑center, mixed‑method, pilot study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Himel Mondal
. Manas Ranjan Sahoo 1
. Ritushri Samantaray 2
. Shaikat Mondal 3

1 Department of Psychiatry, Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital, Balasore, Odisha, India

2 Department of Physiology, Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital, Baripada, Odisha, India,

3 Department of Physiology, Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital, Raiganj, West Bengal, India

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Distance digital learning is newly implemented in the Indian medical institutions.
Formative assessment is also conducted online. In this context, this study aimed at finding the
perception on the usefulness of online formative assessment along with online classes among
1st‑year medical students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional, observational study was conducted in August
2020. The students were exposed to online classes and online formative assessments with five
multiple choice questions for a period of 4 months before the conduct of the survey. An online survey
was conducted (both quantitative and qualitative data collection) to ascertain the perception on the
online formative assessment quiz.
RESULTS: A total of 36 (14 female, 21 male, 1 did not disclose sex) 1st‑year medical students with a
mean age of 19.97 ± 1.16 years participated in the survey. The majority of the students agreed that the
online quiz was a valuable learning activity and has potential to replace the face‑to‑face assessment.
The online quizzes provided them feedback of classroom learning and helped in identifying the weak
area and motivated students to the study. The qualitative data showed that students like to get a
greater number of questions and also like to participate in chapter wise multiple quizzes in spare time.
CONCLUSION: First‑year medical students considered the online formative assessments quiz
coupled with the online classes as a valuable learning activity. It provided them feedback of learning
and a motivation for further study on the topic. They like to participate in anonymous quiz with a
greater number of questions with online classes. The finding of this pilot study should be further
evaluated with multicenter study with more participants.

Keywords

Distance education
learning
medical students
quiz
self‑assessment
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 11, Issue 6
July 2021
Pages 1-6

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