Effectiveness of using blended learning strategies for teaching and learning human anatomy.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to implement innovative teaching methods--blended learning strategies--that include the use of new information technologies in the teaching of human anatomy and to analyse both the impact of these strategies on academic performance, and the degree of user satisfaction.

METHODS:
The study was carried out among students in Year 1 of the biology degree curriculum (human biology profile) at Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona. Two groups of students were tested on knowledge of the anatomy of the locomotor system and results compared between groups. Blended learning strategies were employed in 1 group (BL group, n = 69); the other (TT group; n = 65) received traditional teaching aided by complementary material that could be accessed on the Internet. Both groups were evaluated using the same types of examination.

RESULTS:
The average marks presented statistically significant differences (BL 6.3 versus TT 5.0; P < 0.0001). The percentage pass rate for the subject in the first call was higher in the BL group (87.9% versus 71.4%; P = 0.02), reflecting a lower incidence of students who failed to sit the examination (BL 4.3% versus TT 13.8%; P = 0.05). There were no differences regarding overall satisfaction with the teaching received.

CONCLUSIONS:
Blended learning was more effective than traditional teaching for teaching human anatomy.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Pereira, José A (JA); Pleguezuelos, Eulogio (E); Merí, Alex (A); Molina-Ros, Antoni (A); Molina-Tomás, M Carmen (MC); Masdeu, Carlos (C);

Affiliation: Department of Experimental Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain. jose.pereira(-atsign-)upf.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Medical education (Med Educ), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Feb; vol 41 (issue 2) : pp 189-95

Dates: Created 2007/02/02; Completed 2007/05/10;

PMID: 17269953, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Anatomy - education
Clinical Competence - standards
Education, Medical, Undergraduate - methods
Educational Status
Female

Humans
Learning
Male
Spain
Teaching - methods

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.