Does computer-assisted instruction really help to improve the learning process?

Abstract

Text-based learning seems to be a convenient method of education where time is limited. However, with more time available, use of software may be as good as the conventional learning method and can be an alternative tool. The computer-assisted instruction program seems to enhance the learning process.

Offline eLearning for undergraduates in health professions: A systematic review of the impact on knowledge, skills, attitudes and satisfaction

“…Forty studies [27–42,45,48–55,57,58,60,63–67,69–73] compared eLearning to traditional learning and 9 studies [43,44,46,47,56,59,61,62,68] compared one mode to another mode of eLearning. The shortest duration of exposure was 20 minutes [47] and the longest was 1 year [58].…”

“…The remaining 5 studies were conducted in low– and middle–income countries: 1 [69] in Thailand; 1 [49] in China; and 1 [51,60,65] in Brazil. Figure 2 shows the distribution of the countries in which the studies were conducted.…”

“…[27,28,32–36,42,45,48,49,60,67,70,71]. The eLearning software and material used in the remaining studies were distributed via a variety of sources where specified: learning management systems such as WebCT Blackboard [30,43], DVDs [30,57,61], the internet [29,47,51], stored on a computer [53,58,69] or for 1 study [39] on a PDA, and email [56], Several interventions used standard vendor software such as Adobe® [51,54], Macromedia AuthorWare® [66] and Microsoft® PowerPoint® [29,36]. …”

“…Overall, 40 [27–31,33–37,39–45,47–56,58,60–63,65–69,71,72] out of the 49 studies looked at a knowledge based outcome. Nineteen of these [29–31,34,36,37,40,41,43,45,47,50,51,53,61,63,65,71,72] used only a multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) to test students’ knowledge and understanding, while another 9 studies [27,35,44,52,55,56,58,60,66] used a MCQ in conjunction with an additional testing method (eg, short answer questions or X–ray image interpretation).…”

“…Nineteen of these [29–31,34,36,37,40,41,43,45,47,50,51,53,61,63,65,71,72] used only a multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) to test students’ knowledge and understanding, while another 9 studies [27,35,44,52,55,56,58,60,66] used a MCQ in conjunction with an additional testing method (eg, short answer questions or X–ray image interpretation). A further eleven studies [28,39,42,48,49,54,62,67–69] measured students’ knowledge gain via other testing means including case analysis, X–ray image interpretation and written exams. One study [33] did not specify which method was used to examine the participants’ knowledge.…”