Student Perceptions of Engagement on a Team-Based Biomedical Science Module in a UK Post-92 University; Impact on Academic Performance

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Student Perceptions of Engagement on a Team-Based Biomedical Science Module in a UK Post-92 University; Impact on Academic Performance
Language: English
Authors: Lewis Fall (ORCID 0000-0002-1515-0672), Harri Little
Source: European Journal of Education. 2026 61(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, Student Attitudes, Learner Engagement, Teamwork, College Science, Biomedicine, Academic Achievement, Student Surveys, Academic Persistence, Grades (Scholastic), Student Participation, Class Activities, Work Ethic, Sense of Community
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom, United Kingdom (Wales)
DOI: 10.1111/ejed.70692
ISSN: 0141-8211
1465-3435
Abstract: The University of South Wales (USW), serving a student population with diverse academic backgrounds, including many from deprived areas and those returning to education, emphasises social mobility. Its Biomedical degrees incorporate a Level 5 (Year 2) module focusing on anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, using a team- and case-based learning approach grounded in real-world scenarios. Teamwork, a crucial STEM skill, presents challenges in higher education, often linked to engagement issues like lack of participation and poor team dynamics. This study investigated the relationship between student perceptions of engagement and their attainment within the module. A five-point Likert questionnaire, adapted from the Student Engagement in Schools Questionnaire (SESQ), was distributed to all 33 students who completed the 2023-2024 module. A 64% response rate was achieved. Responses were analysed statistically, and a focus group explored recurring themes. Results revealed 100% positive responses for affective engagement and behavioural engagement (effort and persistence). However, behavioural engagement (extra-curricular) and cognitive engagement returned mixed results. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.5) was found between final grades and participation in class activities. Thematic analysis indicated increased perceived participation, independence, and confidence throughout the module. While intrinsic motivation and effort were positive, cognitive engagement and extra-curricular involvement require further attention. The correlation between effort, persistence, and grades underscores the importance of fostering a strong work ethic. These findings emphasise the need for a supportive learning environment that encourages active participation and builds a sense of community to enhance student engagement and academic success, offering valuable insights for improving teaching practices.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507181
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1507181
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Student Perceptions of Engagement on a Team-Based Biomedical Science Module in a UK Post-92 University; Impact on Academic Performance
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lewis+Fall%22">Lewis Fall</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1515-0672">0000-0002-1515-0672</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Harri+Little%22">Harri Little</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22European+Journal+of+Education%22"><i>European Journal of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 61(2).
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 11
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teamwork%22">Teamwork</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Science%22">College Science</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biomedicine%22">Biomedicine</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Surveys%22">Student Surveys</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Persistence%22">Academic Persistence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grades+%28Scholastic%29%22">Grades (Scholastic)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Participation%22">Student Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Class+Activities%22">Class Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work+Ethic%22">Work Ethic</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Community%22">Sense of Community</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom%22">United Kingdom</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom+%28Wales%29%22">United Kingdom (Wales)</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1111/ejed.70692
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0141-8211<br />1465-3435
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The University of South Wales (USW), serving a student population with diverse academic backgrounds, including many from deprived areas and those returning to education, emphasises social mobility. Its Biomedical degrees incorporate a Level 5 (Year 2) module focusing on anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, using a team- and case-based learning approach grounded in real-world scenarios. Teamwork, a crucial STEM skill, presents challenges in higher education, often linked to engagement issues like lack of participation and poor team dynamics. This study investigated the relationship between student perceptions of engagement and their attainment within the module. A five-point Likert questionnaire, adapted from the Student Engagement in Schools Questionnaire (SESQ), was distributed to all 33 students who completed the 2023-2024 module. A 64% response rate was achieved. Responses were analysed statistically, and a focus group explored recurring themes. Results revealed 100% positive responses for affective engagement and behavioural engagement (effort and persistence). However, behavioural engagement (extra-curricular) and cognitive engagement returned mixed results. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.5) was found between final grades and participation in class activities. Thematic analysis indicated increased perceived participation, independence, and confidence throughout the module. While intrinsic motivation and effort were positive, cognitive engagement and extra-curricular involvement require further attention. The correlation between effort, persistence, and grades underscores the importance of fostering a strong work ethic. These findings emphasise the need for a supportive learning environment that encourages active participation and builds a sense of community to enhance student engagement and academic success, offering valuable insights for improving teaching practices.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1507181
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1507181
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/ejed.70692
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 11
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teamwork
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Science
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biomedicine
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Surveys
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Persistence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grades (Scholastic)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Class Activities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work Ethic
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sense of Community
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom (Wales)
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Student Perceptions of Engagement on a Team-Based Biomedical Science Module in a UK Post-92 University; Impact on Academic Performance
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Lewis Fall
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Harri Little
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 0141-8211
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1465-3435
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 61
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: European Journal of Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1