Students’ Perception of Educational Environment Using Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure DREEM Students of Faculty of Medicine University of Gezira

Abstract

The educational environment is defined as the ethos or climate that affects all aspects of learning within an educational setting. It is one of the most important determining factors of an effective curriculum. Tools to assess learning environment have been recently described by Roff, the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (Dreem) .There is no study in Sudan done using this instrument to assess student environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the educational environment as perceived by the undergraduate medical students in University of Gezira faculty of medicine to identify the problem areas and suggest remedial measures. The study is descriptive cross sectional study using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM). Questionnaire was done interviewing 389 undergraduate of the batches, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. The DREEM contains 50 statements relating to a range of topics directly relevant to education climate. Students were asked to read each statement carefully and to respond using a 5 point likert-type scale ranging from strongly agrees to strongly disagree. As well as the total DREEM score there are five subscales: Students' perception of learning, students' perception of course organizer, students' academic self perceptions, students' perceptions of atmosphere, students' social self perception. The following is an approximate guide to interpreting the overall score: 0-50 Very poor, 51-100 Plenty of problems, 101-150 more positive than Negative, 151-200 Excellent, data processing using SPSS, data is expressed as means of scores; this was reversed for the negative statements. The result of the study showed a total achievement of 153/200 which means a more positive environment in the five areas studied. Large scale study taking each phase separately is needed, to differentiate between the weaknesses and strengthens of each phase. Translation and validation of the English questionnaire will make it easier for the students to answer it. Organization and coordination of the timetables at the beginning of the semester will help in the implementation of the teaching activities effectively. Effective use of the small group teaching in the PBL, and the seminars will improve the effectiveness of those methods.