Measuring learning from the TRC pharmacology E-Learning program.

Full Abstract

AIM:
Clinical pharmacology at the Leiden University Medical Centre is primarily taught by the Teaching Resource Centre's (TRC) Pharmacology database. The TRC program contains schematic graphics using a unique icon language, explanation texts and feedback questions to explain pharmacology as it pertains to pathophysiology. Nearly each course of the curriculum has a chapter in the TRC database offered for self-study. Since using the TRC program is not compulsory, the question remains whether students benefit from using it.

METHODS:
We compared the parameters of log-in attempts and time spent at each topic with students' final exam grades. Instead of looking at the regression of time spent on TRC on grade for one course, we looked at the individual student regression of time spent on TRC for different courses on grades. Spending more time using the TRC being associated with higher grades within an individual is a more powerful result than between students within a course, as better students are likely to spend more time using the TRC.

RESULTS:
Students increasingly used the program throughout the curriculum. More importantly, the time spent using the program showed that increased TRC use by an individual student is associated with a (small) increase in grade. As expected for a noncompulsory activity, better students (those with higher than average exam scores) logged in to the TRC more frequently, but poorer students appeared to have a larger benefit.

CONCLUSIONS:
An increase in TRC use by an individual student correlates with an increase in course grades.

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Author information

Author/s: Franson, Kari L (KL); Dubois, Eline A (EA); de Kam, Marieke L (ML); Cohen, Adam F (AF);

Affiliation: Centre for Human Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands. kfranson(-atsign-)chdr.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: British journal of clinical pharmacology (Br J Clin Pharmacol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jul; vol 66 (issue 1) : pp 135-41

Dates: Created 2008/06/27; Completed 2008/08/11;

PMID: 18507664, 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 - standards
Curriculum - standards
Education, Medical, Undergraduate - standards
Humans

Humans
Netherlands
Pharmacology - education; standards
Students, Medical

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