Yanegawara style PBL tutorial education in Kinjo Gakuin University

Abstract

The Kinjo Gakuin University College of Pharmacy offers a curriculum for nurturing problem-solving skills in gradual and multilayered stages consisting of a Pharmacy PBL course for first year students, a Pharmacy TBL course for third year students and a Pharmacy CBL course for fourth year students to provide them with the ability to flexibly solve all problems that arise in medical care environments. In particular, the Pharmacy PBL course for first year students uses a yanegawara (roof-tile) style problem-solving learning tutorial (hereinafter known as the PBL Tutorial), which is taught by not only university staff, but also second year students in the role of tutors. The results of a questionnaire targeting students indicated that in addition to the opinion that the use of the PBL Tutorial had enhanced their attitude toward active learning, their skills at creating resumes, and their will to learn, the students also claimed that it had improved their communication skills with students in higher years and their own year. It is thought that this method benefits not only first year students, but is also an effective learning method from the perspective of development in second year students.