Experiences with different integration strategies of case-based e-learning

Abstract

Background: E-Learning applications are part and parcel of modern medical curricula. Despite this increasing use, the empirical basis for an optimal integration strategy of computerized teaching methods is small for medical education. In addition to general aspects of integrating e-learning into a curriculum, like feasibility, software and content requirements or curriculum structure, the integration strategy is crucial.

Methods: In this article different integration strategies of e-learning are presented and compared with respect to motivational aspects and acceptance of both, students and instructors.

Results and Conclusions: As best practice we recommend a voluntary integration strategy combined with exam-relevance of the content. The assets and drawbacks of all described strategies are discussed in the conclusions of this article.

View correction statement:

Errata

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Inge Hege

INGA HEGE, MD, is working at the Medical Education Unit (LMU München) and responsible for supporting and administrating the CASUS e-learning courses.

Veronica Ropp

VERONIKA KOPP, MA, is an instructional psychologist and an educational researcher in the field of medical education.

Martin Adler

MARTIN ADLER, Dipl Inform, is head of Instruct AG and responsible for the development and distribution of the CASUS e-learning software.

Katja Radon

KATJA RADON, PhD, MSc, is responsible for the management and evaluation of the e-learning course in Occupational Medicine and gave critical feedback on the paper.

Gerald Mäsch

GERALD MÄSCH, PhD, is professor at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität and the initiator of the described learning by teaching approach at several law schools in Germany.

harold Lyon

HAROLD C. LYON, PhD, Fulbright Senior Specialist, Dartmouth Medical School and Notre Dame College, USA and kindly revised this paper.

Martin R. Fischer

MARTIN R. FISCHER, MD, MME (Bern), is an Internist and endocrinologist. He is head of the Medical Education Unit at the LMU and involved in multiple curricular research projects.