The effectiveness of PBL teaching in a clinical parasitology and parasitic laboratory.

The effectiveness of PBL teaching was examined as part of teaching a clinical parasitology and parasitic laboratory course to 151 undergraduates majoring in laboratory medicine starting in 2004,2005,and 2006 in North China Coal Medical University.Learning objectives and tasks were clarified,topics were selected,literature was read,tasks were performed,and research papers were written.Results showed that PBL teaching methods can stimulate students to learn actively,enhance their observation of parasites in the laboratory,and improve their proficiency at sample smearing,fixation,and staining and at injecting animals.The methods also foster academic inquisitiveness,problem-solving,and innovative thinking.Additionally,the methods serve to enhance teamwork and interpersonal communication skills,create an equal and accessible learning environment between teachers and students,and markedly increase the effectiveness of teaching.