Renu Lohitashwa

Abstract

Introduction: Identifying a slow learner and involving him/her in an active learning process like pair and share has shown to build a meaningful understanding of subject and also beneficial for long term learning and self directed learning skills. The objective of the study was to analyze the effects and impact of an innovative pair and share learning strategy on academic performance of slow learners. Materials and Methods: 42 Slow learners in Department of Physiology were identified with a score of which included internal discussion & presenting their pair’s topic in front of whole group. Activity included pretest, posttest and feedback questionnaire. Results: Statistical analyses were done using Student’s paired t test and SPSS. There was slight improvement in the pretest and posttest scores but was not statistically significant. Majority of the students were satisfied and some were very satisfies with this type of learning strategy. Many of the students expressed that this method of learning module was enjoyable, improved their knowledge, helped them understand and remember specific information effectively and provided positive feedback because of peer feedback. Conclusion: The innovative pair and share learning strategy will facilitate slow learners to develop valuable learning skills for lifelong and more efforts need to be geared towards popularizing this module for improving productivity. Keywords: Innovative, Pair and share, Slow learners, Academic performance

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Abstract

Human physiology creates a framework for understanding how the human body adapts to stresses, physical activity and disease. Best example is usage of mobile phones for daily routine. An attempt was made to study the effect of exposure to mobile phone on functions of ear. Hence, the objective of our study was to find out the effects of exposure of mobile phones on BERA in mobile phone users for long time. 18–30 years aged 100 normal healthy volunteers were considered for the study. Two groups of 50 each participant, who used mobile phones for 4 years for 60 minutes in each day and who used mobile phones since a year for 60 minutes per day respectively. Concise click acoustic stimuli alternating in polarity were presented by an earphone on the ear with 40 and 90 dB intensities. Recording of peak BERA latencies (I, III and V) and calculation of interpeak latency I - V were done. Analysis reveals significant prolongation of latencies in wave III and wave V in Group I participants and also significant prolongation of inter peak latency I - V in Group I participants. On comparison of various latencies of BERA in participants of both the groups, in Group I, a significant increase in latencies of the wave III and V was observed. This damage to the ear can be at various levels of auditory pathway and can be proportional to the amount and duration of exposure. Keywords: BERA, Interpeak latencies, Auditory pathway.

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