Correlation Between Memory Ability and Grades Achievement in Different Learning Methods Among Medical Students at Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar

Abstract

Memory is a part of humans' potential intelligence, which can be measured by using a memory test. Memory test is designed to understand an individual's ability to repeat given information and to analyze them into complex and valuable information. This study is aimed at discovering the correlation between students' memory ability and their grades achievement in different learning methods at the School of Medicine, Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Alauddin Makassar. This research was conducted by involving 147 students out of 248 students. The final grades were achieved in three types of learning methods namely offline, online, and blended learning. The memory ability was assessed by using the Intelligenz Structure Test (IST) instrument, in which a memory subtest was given to each student at the beginning of the semester. The study showed no correlation between the test result and blended learning or online learning, with a p-value of 0,526 and 0,827, respectively. However, a significant correlation was found between the test result and offline learning with a p-value of 0,000 (correlation coefficient 0,406). In addition, a correlation was also found between the test result with the year of students' registration and their entrance route, with p-value 0.000 and 0.009, respectively. The results of this study indicated two things. The first, offline learning method is still really needed by the medical students. The second, blended learning method has significantly increased the students' grades. Assessing the memory ability of the medical students and understanding their needs for appropriate learning method positively influence the learning outcomes.