Can we calm first-year student’s “neuroscience anxiety” with adaptive learning resources? A pilot study

Abstract

An understanding of neurophysiology is vital for undergraduate allied health students; however, it is often perceived as an intimidating and difficult subject. Adaptive learning presents a novel teaching pedagogy to enhance student learning and engagement in the teaching of neurophysiology to first year students. An adaptive online neurophysiology lesson was developed in the Smart Sparrow platform. The lesson was piloted and evaluated using a survey and focus group. Of the 26 students that completed the survey, 21 students indicated that they had a better understanding of the nervous system topic after they completed the lesson. Students found the lesson was helpful in assisting with their understanding of the nervous system, whilst also being interesting and engaging. Findings from this pilot project revealed adaptive learning technologies show significant promise in enhancing student learning in a difficult first year subject.