Assessment of Central Processing Ability after Attending Theory Classes with Various Teaching Aids

Context: In undergraduate medical education, one hour theory classes are integral part of teaching activity. Previously it was carried out by using black boards but now various teaching aids are available.

Aim: Study was planned to know the status of central processing ability after attending classes having various teaching aids.

Material and Method: Twenty (20), 2nd MBBS students were included in the study. Central processing ability was evaluated using Arithmetic Ability Test (AA). Subjective performance was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after theory classes with teaching aids.

Statistical Analysis: Paired't' test was used for analysis of the data.

Results: Statistically significant impairment in the performance was observed after attending the Over Head Projector (OHP) p= 0.0019, Power Point (PPT) p= 0.0023 and Black Board (BB) p= 0.0016 classes. Alteration in the performance was not significant after attending the classes with OHP along with BB and PPT along with BB. Significant differences were observed in all the three VAS after attending PPT and OHP along with BB classes and after PPT along with BB class in the VAS-2.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that mixing of OHP or PPT along with BB during the lecture is
better method and central processing ability is best after attending such classes. Mixing of OHP or
PPT along with BB during the lecture is better method of undergraduate teaching.