Theme: 5II Online learning 2
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Integrating multimedia eBooks into medical education to support flexible learning
Authors: James Pickering
Follow: @accessanatomy
Institutions: University of Leeds - School of Medicine
Clarendon Way - Leeds
United Kingdom - LS2 9JT
 
Background

An eBook based on the anatomy of the abdomen was created and released to year 1 MB ChB students. The eBook contained a wide variety of resources that have been shown to support anatomy education and included: text, screencasts, podcasts, clinical correlates and self-assessment questions (1, 2).

The rationale behind developing an eBook was two-fold:

  1. eBooks do not require an internet connection.
  2. possible to create a single mulit-media resource.

As the eBook contained a range of learning resources each student could select how they wanted to learn.  The use of this type of resource attempts to increase the level of student engagement by supporting flexible learning.

Summary of Results

                              

 

Take-home Messages
  • eBooks are an ideal resource for providing students with a range of multi-media learning aides
  • The ability to access the resource without an Internet connection is a well received benefit
  • Potential links for improving student performance, specifcally thouse student that are under achieveing is a welcome and very interesting observation​

 

 

 

 

Summary of Work

Results indicate:

  • a high level of engagement with 88% of the cohort downloading the resource.
  • that screencasts were the preferred resource.
  • students engaged heavily each time they accessed the eBook.

The most interesting result is associated with assessment outcomes:

  • There was no significant difference between users and non-users across the whole cohort.
  • Introduction of the eBook did not effect the overall assessment outcomes.

But:

  • Students who were in the lower quartile based on previous anatomy assessment performed significantly better if they accessed the eBook than students who did not 61.0+12.9% v 43.9+10.8% (P<0.05).
  • No significant difference was observed between students within the other quartiles.
Conclusion

This study has revealed that eBooks are a popular way of providing learning resources to anatomy students. It enables them to engage in core learning material at a time and place that is suitable to their own learning style and importantly can be accessed off-line. Moreover, the data also sugests that creating a single multi-media resource can support underperforming students in achieveing better outcomes.

You can download the eBook by visiting:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/access-anatomy/id871833191?mt=13

References

1. Bickerdike, S., Whittle, S. R., Pickering, J. D., 2014. Do lecture audio-recordings support engagement and flexible learning? Med Educ 48:522–523.

2. Pickering, J. D. 2014. Anatomy drawing screencasts: Enabling flexible learning for medical students. Anat Sci Educ. In Press

Acknowledgement

The author would like to acknowledge the University of Leeds for funding this project through a University Student Education Fellowship

 

Background
Summary of Results
Take-home Messages
Summary of Work
Conclusion
References
Acknowledgement
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