Dr Alessio Iannetti, Teaching Fellow
School of Pharmacy
Medical Sciences
What did you do?
I used an adapted version of “Who wants to be a millionaire?” as part of my biology seminars for Stage 1 Pharmacy-students. I did this to make the seminar sessions more fun and engaging thanks the competitive nature of the game, but at the same time to test a new approach to facilitate student knowledge retention on a difficult topic of biology.
Who is involved?
Dr Alessio Iannetti and Dr Hamde Nazar, School of Pharmacy.
Stage 1 Undergraduate Pharmacy students.
How did you do it?
Half the cohort experienced seminars requiring students to work in groups to answer open questions on the topic [Group2], whilst the other half of the cohort experienced a seminar adopting elements of the game “Who wants to be a millionaire” [Group1]. Students played competitively in small teams.
Prior to both sets of seminars, students undertook a pre test of 12 MCQs to assess their knowledge, and then a post test to capture knowledge attainment. Results were compared between groups and a t test used to assess for difference. A feedback form including five 5 point Likert scale questions, was distributed requiring students to rate components of the session, including the level of engagement and team work.
Why did you do it?
We developed these seminar sessions in response to Stage 1 undergraduate pharmacy students reporting difficulty with particular topics of biology.
Student Voice
“Much better than seminars”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the session”
Stage 1 undergraduate Pharmacy students
Does it work?
The game worked well and the data collected showed that it augments student knowledge retention. Student feedback showed that the game activity was very engaging and that students appreciated working in teams for the game. Therefore, a second aim to keep this game in the seminar sessions, is to help students to practise the team-work skills that they will need in their careers.
Students attending the game session improved in the post-test scores
