Perspectives on teaching approaches and the grade point average attainment of undergraduate medical students at University of Zambia.
Date
2019
Authors
Daka, Harrison
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education
Abstract
Over the years since its inception, the University of Zambia, School of Medicine remained a
premier academic institution that prided itself with exceptionally high outcomes and graduates of high
caliber. However, despite such accolades, and during the course of the focus of this study from 2008 to 2016
there were low students Grade Point Average (GPA) among undergraduate programmes in the School of
Medicine of the University of Zambia (Field data, 2018). In order to delve this issue, this study investigated
the relationship between teaching approaches and the students’ GPA among undergraduate medical students
trained at the University of Zambia, School of Medicine during the years from 2008 to 2016.
A mixed methods approach involving qualitative and quantitative methods was employed to investigate the
above mentioned issue. An explanatory sequential research design was used for data collection. Data were
captured from using an evaluation survey instrument, students’ Focus Group Discussion schedule and an in -
depth interview schedule for key informants regarding the GPA. Quantitative data from the first set were
analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data from the second set were analysed
using constant comparative method.
The study revealed that the following contributed to low GPA in the School of Medicine at the University of
Zambia during the period under study:
(a) there was inadequate teaching and learning (b) concepts were not explained in depth which led to
students’ perceptions that courses were difficult. (c) despite having well qualified lecturers (54.7%) students
were not availed with handbooks (62.6%) and course curriculum (53%).There was no significant statistical
difference among the programmes (p = .663, F = 4, 596, df = .600).
In conclusion, the study shows that low students’ GPA at the Medical School of the University of Zambia was
due to among other things inappropriate teaching approaches. In view of these findings, the study
recommends that enrolment of students should be dependent on availability of infrastructure and facility
capacities and that the Department of Medical Education and Development (DMED) should consider
organizing specific pedagogical training programmes for existing and newly employed academic staff.
Keywords: Teaching approaches, Grade Point Average, Quality Teaching and Students outcomes
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Quality teaching and students outcomes--Zambia. , Educational tests and measurements--Zambia.