RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Study Behaviors Associated with Student Pharmacists’ Academic Success in an Active Classroom Pharmacy Curriculum
JF American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
JO Am J Pharm Educ
FD American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
SP ajpe7695
DO 10.5688/ajpe7695
VO 84
IS 7
A1 Kimberly C. McKeirnan
A1 Karen Colorafi
A1 Anne P. Kim
A1 Angela S. Stewart
A1 Connie M. Remsberg
A1 Myphuong Vu
A1 Brenda S. Bray
YR 2020
UL http://www.ajpe.org/content/84/7/ajpe7695.abstract
AB Objective. To identify the specific study behaviors that promoted student pharmacists’ success in an active-learning pharmacy curriculum.Methods. The Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences implemented an active-learning, flipped classroom model for instruction to equitably deliver course content to Doctor of Pharmacy students on both its main and extended campuses. Students’ ability to adapt to the new model and its impact on their study behaviors were unknown. A qualitative descriptive design that included semi-structured interviews was applied to evaluate the study behaviors of high-performing students. The study sample included 13 third and fourth professional year pharmacy students in the top 20% of their respective classes.Results. Interview responses were unaffected by baseline demographics such as gender and year of graduation. Content analysis generated five primary themes related to the behavioral strategies used by high performers: preparing for class, preparing for testing, seeking help, knowing yourself, and building on strengths. These were mapped to the four tenants of Wenger’s social learning theory in the representation of findings: learning as doing, learning as belonging, learning as becoming, and learning as experience.Conclusion. High-performing students demonstrated a refined ability to select and modify study behaviors that aided in their academic success, demonstrating a high degree of metacognition. The results of this research may assist pharmacy faculty members in identifying critical elements for success of students enrolled in pharmacy programs using an active learning model.