Computer-assisted instruction versus traditional lecture for medical student teaching of dermatology morphology: a randomized control trial.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
The effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction is unproven.

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effectiveness of an online computerized dermatology module compared to traditional lecture-based teaching to medical students.

METHODS:
Medical students were randomized to two groups. Group 1 of 37 students had access to a computer-based dermatology tutorial. Group 2 of 36 students attended a lecture on skin morphology, identical to the tutorial, given by a dermatology faculty member. The main outcome was the total number of correct answers on a multiple-choice morphologic terminology final examination. The mean number of questions answered correctly was 16.14 and 14.89 for group 1 and group 2, respectively.

RESULTS:
Unpaired statistical t tests showed the difference in mean scores between the two groups to be 1.25 (95% confidence interval:
-0.70 to 3.20, p value = .20).

LIMITATIONS:
The study was small, with a small amount of material, and was brief in duration.

CONCLUSIONS:
Within the limits of our study, computer-assisted instruction is at least as effective as traditional lecture teaching of dermatology morphology to medical students.

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Author information

Author/s: Jenkins, Sasha (S); Goel, Ruchika (R); Morrell, Dean S (DS);

Affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7287, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Aug; vol 59 (issue 2) : pp 255-9

Dates: Created 2008/07/21; Completed 2008/08/28;

PMID: 18499299, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods
Dermatology - education
Education, Medical, Undergraduate - methods
Humans

Humans
Prospective Studies
Skin Diseases - diagnosis; pathology
Teaching - methods

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