Personalization and Learning Outcome in a Nursing Pathophysiology and Pharmacology Course: Canvas© Mastery Adoption Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction Personalized learning has been shown to improve learning outcomes. The aim of this pilot was to test a tool embedded in the Canvas© learning platform to improve personalization and collect data to see if the available level of personalization employed improved learning outcomes. Methods A nursing pathophysiology and pharmacology course was redesigned using the Canvas© Mastery Paths feature to provide personalized learning content to students. Post-class quiz grades were used to trigger Canvas© to conditionally release content review materials to students who did poorly on the quiz and provide a second quiz to test the efficacy of supplementary review materials. Data from the redesigned course was compared to the previous semester's course data. Results Use of Canvas© Master Paths to conditionally release supplementary material to poorly performing students resulted in significant improvement in course grades and certain activity scores correlated with improved course and ATI© quiz means. Conclusion The degree of personalization of course content available with Master Paths has the potential to have a positive impact on learning outcomes.