Do multimedia-based exam questions enhance learning? Perspectives and insights from first-year nursing students

Background: In a science subject within the Bachelor of Nursing, end-of-semester summative assessments measure student learning. Data collected from a summative task indicate students' attainment of essential knowledge. Aims: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to explore nursing students’ perceptions of the use of multimedia-based questions in final exams. Methods: Using Convenience sampling, the first-year nursing students were invited to voluntarily participate in this study. The survey was delivered online via Qualtrics, consisted of close-ended, open-ended questions and Likert scales. The open-ended questions were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Responses were received from 35 students. A total of 16 responses (45.7%) included sufficient information for inclusion in the analysis. 48 open-ended responses were collected related to the use of multimedia in examinations. Four themes emerged from the responses: (1) Engagement and Comfort, (2) Challenges encountered, (3) Perceived Effectiveness and (4) Enhanced understanding and Recall-being the most frequently commented theme. Conclusions: Student perceptions and insights indicated that multimedia-based questions measure competence and may also serve as a pedagogical tool in supporting student recall during the exam.