The impact of formative testing on study behaviour and study performance of (bio)medical students: a smartphone application intervention study

摘要

Background Formative testing can increase knowledge retention but students often underuse available opportunities. Applying modern technology to make the formative tests more attractive for students could enhance the implementation of formative testing as a learning tool. This study aimed to determine whether formative testing using an internet-based application (“app”) can positively affect study behaviour as well as study performance of (bio)medical students. Methods A formative testing app “Physiomics, to the next level” was introduced during a 4-week course to a large cohort (n?=?461) of Dutch first year (bio)medical students of the Radboud University. The app invited students to complete 7 formative tests throughout the course. Each module was available for 3-4 days to stimulate the students to distribute their study activities throughout the 4-week course. Results 72% of the students used the app during the course. Study time significantly increased in intensive users (p? Conclusions A smartphone-based application of formative testing is an effective and attractive intervention to stimulate study behaviour and improve study performance in (bio) medical students.