title: [An experimental study of a hypertext as an innovative teaching tool in learning about occupational risks].
abstract: Among innovative techniques, computer-assisted instruction methods and hypertexts deserve particular attention due to the increasing availability of educational software. A hypertext is not a specific programme, rather a type of programme: hypertexts provide different combinations of texts, pictures, graphs, tables, so that learners can browse through information according to their wishes. This study was performed with the aim of comparing two teaching techniques (1. browsing a hypertext with the assistance of a computer, and 2. attending traditional lectures) in the field of occupational and environmental risks for human health. The whole second-year course (21 students) of the School of Environmental and Occupational Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, participated in the study. The experimental strategy consisted of 14 working sessions. Students were randomly assigned to 2 groups; one browsed the hypertext and the other attended the lectures. At the end of each session, students performed a 16-item multiple-choice test on the topic covered to assess learning levels. Each student was also requested to judge clarity, interest and usefulness on a 5-point scale. The performance of the students, expressed as a percentage of correct answers, showed that learning lectures is slightly more effective than learning from hypertext browsing. However, the chi 2-test revealed no significant differences between the 2 methods regarding performance when students with more than 75% correct answers were compared. Regarding acceptability of the techniques used, the students considered them equivalent as to interest and usefulness, whereas clarity of the lectures was slightly but significantly higher than the hypertext. Acceptability of hypertext browsing as a learning method was greatly appreciated. Most of the students considered their experience as highly positive: hypertext browsing was considered easy and amusing and the use of the computer for learning was judged most satisfying. Most of the students would like to have the possibility of learning at home, to repeat the experience and extend it to other disciplines. The negative characteristic of hypertext browsing was the "lack of human contact", which makes it impossible to widen knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di medicina preventiva, occupazionale e di comunità dell'Università di Pavia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000193:education*
vernacular_title: Sperimentazione di un ipertesto come strumento didattico innovativo nell'insegnamento-apprendimento dei rischi lavorativi.