Abstract:

To improve the assimilation of theoretical lectures, we set out a practical experience with small student groups in the toxicology laboratory. Students were divided into groups of 10. The objective was to test whether theoretical knowledge is best learned when working practically.
First, we chose a topic that was transversal to other subjects, and that had not only a clinical interest but also a practical one. Then we designed a true/false type test with a small opinion poll. With the first part, we aimed to obtain objective data on how students acquire theoretical knowledge. And the second part of the survey helps us understand how the experience was evaluated by the students.

After the practical experience, we evaluated the achieved results. Each participating student passed the test. More than half of the total, obtained between 85 and 100% of the correct answers. Thus, displaying a good acquisition of knowledge of the subject developed in the laboratory.

Concerning the second part of the survey completed by the students, related to their preferences. Most of the respondents found it an attractive and effective method compared to classical lectures. On the other hand, the degree of correlation of what was learned with what is taught in the theoretical classes did not seem so consistent. This may be because we choose a transversal topic that had not been previously explained in the theoretical classes.

Keywords:

Toxicology, practice, knowledge acquisition.