The relevance of the GNK288 anatomy dissection study guide from the students’ perspective : a survey conducted amongst MBCHB II and BCHD II students at the University of Pretoria

Abstract

Considering the growing tendency and in often demand of making all Study guides and material electronically available to students, the question arises whether hard copies of the Study component of Study guides should be completely replaced by electronic versions on ClickUP (UP version of WebCT). The Department of Anatomy at the University of Pretoria relies strongly, and adheres strictly to a well-composed Study guide, a hard copy of which is presently still supplied to each student at the outset of GNK 288, the second year Anatomy dissection block. In order to estimate what value the students attach to the Study guide in hard copy-format, a standard 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst 305 second year MBChB and BChD students, nearing the end of the block, to be completed by them. A total of 282 completed questionnaires (92.5%) were returned and analysed. The sample included of 232 MBChB and 50 BChD students. It is clear from the results that the majority of students not only regards the Study guide as an important tool to assist them in their studies, but would also prefer to have a hard copy as well, as the latter enables easier and cheaper accessibility. It is therefore recommended that a hard copy of the Study guide (containing both Organisational and Study components) is kept as economically viable as possible, and at the students' disposal, together with the electronic version thereof.