Computer-based learning versus practical course in pre-clinical education: Acceptance and knowledge retention

Abstract

Background: Computer-based learning is a tool that, when designed appropriately, can be used to effectively meet worthy educational goals.

Aims: This study aimed to compare acceptance and effectiveness of a tutored computer-based practical course (CPC) with a traditional biochemical laboratory experiment in pre-clinical medical education.

Method: Under quasi-randomised conditions two cohorts of second-year medical students performed either a CPC or a laboratory experiment. Students’ perceptions were obtained by assessment questionnaires, knowledge retention was investigated by post test.

Results: The students evaluated the CPC highly significantly better than the laboratory experiment. Students performing the CPC demonstrated a statistically significant greater knowledge retention compared to students who performed the laboratory experiment.

Conclusions: These findings show that learning objectives concerning basic biochemical knowledge can be acquired in a CPC and that medical students accept such a CPC as a substitute for a real laboratory experiment.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Klaus-Dietrich Kröncke

KLAUS-DIETRICH KRÖNCKE, PhD, is professor at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I at the Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf. The work described here is part of his master thesis of the german postgraduate course ‘Master of Medical Education’.