Students perception of learning environment: A Base Line Study for identifying areas of concern at a Private Medical College, Bangladesh

Background : The importance of learning environment in teaching institution is increasingly being appreciated in terms of its effect on learning and outcome. Objective : The objective of this study was to explore students’ perception of learning environment for identifying measures to improve it of a private medical college, Bangladesh. Method : Two phase cross-sectional study combining quantitative and qualitative components was conducted among the students of a private medical college. In Phase I part the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) inventory was used to obtain data for base line quantitative information on a total of 204 medical and final professional examinee students. Purposive sampling method was employed in this phase and the Item that scored >3 was categorised as highest and 3 and 7 items scored <2 which were explored further by focus group discussions among teachers and students to know the underlying causes for such scores. many similar issues were identified by both the groups in focus group discussion. Conclusion : The combination of a quantitative and qualitative method revealed students’ positive perception and the strong and weak areas of the learning environment of ISMC. The findings were used in recommending remedial measure for creating an encouraging learning environment of ISMC which is one the main ingredient for effective learning. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(2) 2016 p.234-242