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Graphic organizers (GOs) are visual and spatial displays that facilitate learning by making conceptual relationships between content more apparent. It remains unknown whether GOs are more effective when completed by the teacher (instructor-provided IP) versus the learner (student-generated SG). A mixed-methods prospective randomized crossover trial was undertaken with veterinary students ( n = 60) in an elective cardiology course. All students received identical content presented via weekly in-class lectures and were subsequently given study aids in either IP or SG format. One week later, students completed quizzes of content knowledge for each lesson and indicated amount of time spent studying. Crossover occurred such that groups of students alternated between receiving IP and SG. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected in the form of in-depth pre- and post-course surveys. Overall, there was no significant difference in quiz scores based on study aid type ( p = .06). Students spent an average of 25% less time studying per lesson when using IP GOs compared with SG GOs ( p < .001). Time spent studying for each quiz, as well as time period between date of studying and date of quiz, decreased significantly throughout the semester. Overall, students strongly preferred IP to SG format ( p < .001); reasons listed included confidence in accuracy and completeness of information, as well as increased study efficiency. In an elective veterinary cardiology course, use of IP compared to SG format study aids resulted in higher study efficiency and student satisfaction with equivalent short-term learning outcomes.
Ward et al. (Tue,) studied this question.