Learning from Simple Ebooks, Online Cases or Classroom Teaching When Acquiring Complex Knowledge. A Randomized Controlled Trial in Respiratory Physiology and Pulmonology

Abstract

Background and AimsE-learning is developing fast because of the rapid increased use of smartphones, tablets and portable computers. We might not think of it as e-learning, but today many new e-books are in fact very complex electronic teaching platforms. It is generally accepted that e-learning is as effective as classroom teaching methods, but little is known about its value in relaying contents of different levels of complexity to students. We set out to investigate e-learning effects on simple recall and complex problem-solving compared to classroom teaching.Methods63 nurses specializing in anesthesiology were evenly randomized into three groups. They were given internet-based knowledge tests before and after attending a teaching module about respiratory physiology and pulmonology. The three groups was either an e-learning group with eBook teaching material, an e-learning group with case-based teaching or a group with face-to-face case-based classroom teaching. After the module the students were required to answer a post-test. Time spent and the number of logged into the system was also measured.ResultsFor simple recall, all methods were equally effective. For problem-solving, the eCase group achieved a comparable knowledge level to classroom teaching, while textbook learning was inferior to both (p<0.01). The textbook group also spent the least amount of time on acquiring knowledge (33 minutes, p<0.001), while the eCase group spent significantly more time on the subject (53 minutes, p<0.001) and logged into the system significantly more (2.8 vs 1.6, p<0.001).ConclusionsE-learning based cases are an effective tool for teaching complex knowledge and problem-solving ability, but future studies using higher-level e-learning are encouraged.Simple recall skills, however, do not require any particular learning method.

Efectividad de un programa de formación online en una unidad de enfermería: extracción de hemocultivos

“…This improvement corroborates the data from another study (16) that compared three different types of learning methodologies: in person, e-book, and online platform. The pre-post assessment showed that in all cases, knowledge increased.…”

“…Finally, this type of intervention has potential financial benefits. Various authors have shown that e-learning methodology incurs lower costs when compared to in-person training (8,16) . In a study about basic vital support training via an online platform, an estimated 330 €/student (27) were saved.…”

E-Books in Teaching and Learning Process

“…Based on these findings, it had been obtained that for Problem-Solving, e-Case groups reached a level of knowledge comparable to classroom teaching, while learning with textbooks was lower than e-Case and teaching in class (p <0.01). The textbook group also spent the least amount of time gaining knowledge (33 minutes, p <0.001), while the e-Case group spent more time on the subject (53 minutes, p <0.001) and significantly more entry into the system (2.8 vs 1.6, p <0.001) [27].…”

IoT-based students interaction framework using attention-scoring assessment in eLearning

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