title: The development of a computer assisted instruction and assessment system in pharmacology.
abstract: We describe the construction of a computer based system for instruction and assessment in pharmacology, utilizing a large bank of multiple choice questions. Items were collected from many sources, edited and coded for student suitability, topic, taxonomy and difficulty and text references. Students reserve a time during the day, specify the type of test desired and questions are presented randomly from the subset satisfying their criteria. Answers are scored after each question and a summary given at the end of every test; details on item performance are recorded automatically. The biggest hurdle in implementation was the assembly, review, classification and editing of items, while the programming was relatively straight-forward. A number of modifications had to be made to the initial plans and changes will undoubtedly continue with further experience. When fully operational the system will possess a  number of advantages including: elimination of test preparation, editing and marking; facilitated item review opportunities; increased objectivity, feedback, flexibility and descreased anxiety in students.
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D001315:Australia; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003201:Computers; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000193:education*; D011380:Programmed Instructions as Topic