Designing a Teaching Model in Pharmacotherapeutics Course to Improve Learning Outcomes Through Web-Based Learning for Pharmacy Students

Nowadays, a vital part of the instructional role of teachers is to instill the 4 C's of 21st century skills in students in or beyond the classroom, since they are the competencies that all health science students need to succeed in their future careers. Therefore, it is important to design an instructional model to enable students to develop such skills, with necessary measures that indicate that students achieve the learning objectives. In this study, a model of instructional management based on web-based learning was developed. The Pharmacotherapy 1 course in our department of pharmacology and toxicology was selected. The case-based learning model started with small groups of students being given the case scenarios in which they exercised their problem- solving skills and cooperative learning. The students were assigned tasks (case content and problems) on web platform, after which they are to follow the 3 steps of class activities: (1) self and group study before class, (2) in class discussion and (3) after class evaluation. Then, the learning outcomes and skills achieved by the students, as well as comments from teachers and students were evaluated for further improvements. It was shown that students gained the knowledge and developed critical thinking and problem solving, and professional practice skills as expected. When students were asked to self-assess their knowledge and skills, they found that their knowledge and skills increased. Furthermore, they were also satisfied with this teaching approach. This study shows that this teaching model is suitable for online teaching with good outcomes from both teachers' and students' perspectives.