General References
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- EvansJ. and BenefieldP. (2001) Systematic reviews of education research: Does the medical model fit? British Educational Research Journal, 27 (5), 527-541
- HigginsJ.P.T. and GreenS. (2011) Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 5.1.0. www.cochrane-handbook.org (accessed 4th July 2011)
- HofflerT.N. and LeutnerD. (2007) Instructional animation versus static pictures: a meta-analysis. Learning and Instruction, 17, 722-738
- LinH., ChingY.-H., KeF. and DwyerF. (2007) Effectiveness of various enhancement strategies to complement animated instruction: a meta-analytic assessment. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 35 (2), 215-237
- MayerR.E. (2005) The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning. Ed MayerR.E. Cambridge University Press, UK
- MoherD., SchultzK. F. and AltmanD. G. (2001) The CONSORT statement: revised recommendations for improving the quality of reports of parallel group randomized trials. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 1 (2)
- PereiraJ.A., PleguezuelosE., MeriA., Molina-RosA., Molina-TomasM.C. and MasdeuC. (2007) Effectiveness of using blended learning strategies for teaching and learning of human anatomy. Medical Education 41, 189-195
- ReddiU.V. and MishraS. Educational Multimedia. A handbook for teacher-developers. A publication for the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia. www.cemca.org/emhandbook/edmul_full.pdf (accessed 4th July 2011)
- SkinnerB. F. (1960) Teaching Machines. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 42 (3 part 2), 189-191
- SlavinR.E. (1986) Best-evidence synthesis: an alternative to meta-analytic and traditional reviews. Education Research, 15, 5-11
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Studies Included in Meta-analysis
- BogackiR.E., BestA. and AbbeyL.M. (2004) Equivalence study of a dental anatomy computer-assisted learning program. Journal of Dental Education, 68 (8), 867-871
- DewhurstD.G., HardcastleJ., HardcastleP.T. and StuartE. (1994) Comparison of a computer simulation program and a traditional laboratory practical class for teaching the principles of intestinal absorption. Advances in Physiology Education, 267, 95-104
- DewhurstD.G. and WilliamsA.D. (1998) An investigation of the potential for a computer-based tutorial program covering the cardiovascular system to replace traditional lectures. Computers and Education, 31, 301-317
- EvansC., GibbonsN.J., ShahK. and GriffinD.K. (2004) Virtual learning in the biological sciences: pitfalls of simply “putting notes on the web”. Computers and Education, 43, 49-61
- GibbonsN.J., EvansC., PayneA., ShahK. and GriffinD.K. (2004) Computer simulations improve university instructional laboratories. Cell Biology Education, 3, 263-269
- GlittenbergC. and BinderS. (2006) Using 3D computer simulations to enhance ophthalmic training. Opthalmic and Physiological Optics, 26, 40-49
- JenkinsS., GoelR. and MorrellD.S. (2008) Computer-assisted instruction versus traditional lecture for medical student teaching of dermatology morphology: a randomized control trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 59, 255-259
- KronkeK.-D. (2010) Computer-based learning versus practical course in pre-clinical education: acceptance and knowledge retention. Medical Teacher, 32, 408-413
- LilienfieldL.S. and BroeringN.C. (1994) Computers as teachers: learning from animations. Advances in Physiology Education, 266, 47-54
- MarshK.R., GriffinB.F. and LowrieD.J.Jr (2008) Medical student retention of embryonic development: impact of the dimensions added by multimedia tutorials. Anatomical Sciences Education, 1, 252-257
- McGrathP., KuceraR. and SmithW. (2003) Computer simulation of introductory neurophysiology. Advances in Physiology Education, 27, 120-129
- NicholsonD.T., ChalkC., FunnellW.R.J. and DanielS.J. (2006) Can virtual reality improve anatomy education? A randomised controlled trial of a computer-generated three dimensional anatomical ear model. Medical Education, 40, 1081-1087
- O’DayD.H. (2006) Animated cell biology: a quick and easy method for making effective, high-quality teaching animations. Life Science Education, 5, 255-263
- O’DayD.H. (2007) The value of animations in biology teaching: a study of long-term memory retention. Life Science Education, 6, 217-223
- StarbekP., ErjavectM.S. and PeklajC. (2010) Teaching genetics with multimedia results in better acquisition of knowledge and improvement of comprehension. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 26 (3), 214-224
- ThatcherJ. (2006) Computer animation and improved student comprehension of basic science concepts. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 106 (1), 9-14
Excluded Studies
- AdamczykC., HolzerM., PutzR. and FischerM.R. (2009) Student learning preferences and the impact of a multimedia learning tool in the dissection course at the University of Munich. Annals of Anatomy, 191, 339-348
- BlakeC.A., LavoieH.A. and MilletteC.F. (2003) Teaching medical histology at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine: Transition to virtual slides and virtual microscopes. Anatomical Record (Part B: New Anatomy), 275B, 196-206
- BuchowskiM.S., PlaistedC., FortJ. and ZeiselS.H. (2010) Computer-assisted teaching of nutritional anemias and diabetes to first-year medical students. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 75, 154-161
- CortonM.M., McIntireD.D., WaiC.Y., LingF.W. and WendelG.D.Jr. (2006) A comparison of an interactive computer-based method with a conventional reading approach for learning pelvic anatomy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 195, 1438-1443
- DantasA.H. and KemmR.E. (2008) A blended approach to active learning in a physiology laboratory-based subject facilitated by an e-learning component. Advances in Physiology Education, 32, 65-75
- DewhurstD.G., MacleodH.A. and NorrisT.A.M. (2000) Independent student learning aided by computers: an acceptable alternative to lectures? Computers in Education, 35, 223-241
- DunsworthQ. and AtkinsonR.K. (2007) Fostering multimedia learning of science: exploring the role of an animated agent’s image. Computers in Education, 48, 677-690
- FawverA.L., BranchC.E., TrenthamL., RobertsonB.T. and BeckettS.D. (1990) A comparison of interactive videodisc instruction with live animal laboratories. Advances in Physiology Education, 4, S11-S14
- GargA.X., NormanG.R., EvaK.W., SperoL. and SharanS. (2002) Is there any real virtue of virtual reality? The minor role of multiple orientations in learning anatomy from computers. Academic Medicine, 77 (10), S97-S99
- GoldbergH.R. and McKhannG.M. (2000) Student test scores are improved in a virtual learning environment. Advances in Physiology Education, 23 (1), 59-66
- GuyJ.F. and FrisbyA.J. (1992) Using interactive videodiscs to teach gross anatomy to undergraduates at The Ohio State University. Academic Medicine, 67, 132-133
- KohlmeierM., AlthouseL., StritterF. and ZeiselS.H. (2000) Introducing cancer nutrition to medical students: effectiveness of computer-based instruction. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71, 873-877
- KohlmeierM., McConathyW.J., LindellK.C. and ZeiselS.H. (2003) Adapting the contents of computer-based instruction based on knowledge tests maintains effectiveness of nutrition education. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 77(supplement), 1025S-1027S
- McAteerE., NeilD., BarrN., BrownM., DraperS. and HendersonF. (1996) Simulation software in a life sciences practical laboratory. Computers in Education, 26 (1-3), 101-112
- McFarlinB.K. (2008) Hybrid lecture-online format increases student grades in an undergraduate exercise physiology course at a large urban university. Advances in Physiology Education, 32, 86-91
- McLeanP., JohnsonC., RogersR., DanielsL., ReberJ., SlatorB.M., TerpstraJ. and WhiteA. (2005) Molecular and cellular biology animations: development and impact on student learning. Cell Biology Education, 4, 169-179
- McNultyJ.A., HalamaJ., DauzvardisM.F. and EspirituB. (2000) Evaluation of web-based computer-aided instruction in a basic science course. Academic Medicine, 75 (1), 59-65
- McNultyJ.A., HalamaJ. and EspirituB. (2004) Evaluation of computer-aided instruction in the medical gross anatomy curriculum. Medical Education, 17, 73-78
- PeterssonH., SinkvistD., WangC. and SmedbyO. (2009) Web-based interactive 3D visualisation as a tool for improved anatomy learning. Anatomical Sciences Education, 2, 61-68
- RawsonR.E. and QuinlanK.M. (2002) Evaluation of a computer-based approach to teaching acid/base physiology. Advances in Physiology Education, 26 (2), 85-97
- StithB.J. (2004) Use of animation in teaching cell biology. Cell Biology Education, 3, 181-188