NEURO-MUSCULAR PHYSIOLOGY EXPERIMENTS: COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING VERSUS TRADITIONAL LECTURE DEMONSTRATIONS

Abstract

Background: We describe an evaluation of the effectiveness of a computer assisted learning (CAL) program, which simulates a series of experiments of neuromuscular (NM) physiology on frog’s gastrocnemius-sciatic nerve preparation, compared with a traditional laboratory. Methods: Both CAL program and simple laboratory demonstrations were used to teach experimental neuro-muscular physiology to 100 first year undergraduate medical students. One group of 50 students (Group 1) was taught using traditional demonstrations and the other group of 50 students (Group 2) was taught using a CAL program. After completion of the experiments, both groups of students were tested for the knowledge gained during the experiments. Student attitudes were surveyed by a questionnaire consisting of 16 close ended and one open ended question. Results: The test scores of Group 2 were better than Group 1 and there were statistically significant differences (unpaired t-test) in the marks obtained. Feedback questionnaire revealed that for most students the dissection and use of animals was not essential to demonstrate known facts or principles. Student feedback on ease of use of CAL program and level of interaction was very positive. The computer simulation demonstrations were highly recommended by students but most of them also felt that CAL should be used in conjunction with interactive demonstration by a skilled instructor. Conclusion: The CAL programs can actively involve students even in large classes and are designed to cover the major objectives of the NM physiology experiments. CAL programs appear to provide an effective alternative to animal demonstrations in teaching experimental neuromuscular physiology, better in some aspects and not in others.