Comparison of the effects of group and individual reflection methods on self-regulated learning strategies and learning motivation among emergency medical technicians: a quasi-experimental study.

Background: Reflection is an essential educational practice often characterized as a self-regulated learning activity. Self-regulated learning has been shown to positively influence learning motivation and metacognition. This study aimed to compare the effect of group and individual reflection methods on self-regulation learning strategies and motivational components among emergency medical technicians.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 54 emergency medical technicians in South Khorasan province in 2023. Thirty pre-hospital emergency centers affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences were randomly assigned to three blocks (A, B, and C). Participants were then selected through convenience sampling based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eighteen participants working in pre-hospital emergency centers were selected from each block. The three blocks (A, B, and C) were randomly assigned into three arms: individual reflection, group reflection, and control. The individual reflection group members were asked to record their feelings and experiences using the Gibbs model in provided notebooks during four weeks (at the end of each week). The group reflection members, after forming groups and selecting leaders, engaged in the group reflection sessions in a designated room, following the Gibbs model for four weeks. The self-regulated learning strategies and learning motivation components of all participants were measured using standardized questionnaires before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's post hoc test, and Fisher's exact test.

Results: The mean score of self-regulation learning strategies and learning motivation significantly increased in the group reflection arm after the intervention (p < 0.05). While the mean scores of motivational component and its individual components increased significantly in the individual reflection group after the intervention (p < 0.05), no significant difference was observed in the mean scores of self-regulation learning strategies and their components before and after the intervention (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this research highlight the superiority of group reflection method over individual reflection in promoting self-regulated learning. While both methods were effective in enhancing learning motivation, group reflection proved to be more beneficial. Therefore, it is recommended that Emergency Medical Services managers provide training programs that incorporate group reflection to enable technicians to benefit from its advantages in terms of self-regulated learning strategies and learning motivation.