Multimedia messages in genetics: design, development, and evaluation of a computer-based instructional resource for secondary school students in a Tay Sachs disease carrier screening program.
OBJECTIVE
Tay Sachs disease is a recessively inherited neurodegenerative disorder, for which carrier screening programs exist worldwide. Education for those offered a screening test is essential in facilitating informed decision-making. In Melbourne, Australia, we have designed, developed, and evaluated a computer-based instructional resource for use in the Tay Sachs disease carrier screening program for secondary school students attending Jewish schools. The resource entitled "Genetics in the Community: Tay Sachs disease" was designed on a platform of educational learning theory.


METHODS
The development of the resource included formative evaluation using qualitative data analysis supported by descriptive quantitative data. The final resource was evaluated within the screening program and compared with the standard oral presentation using a questionnaire. Knowledge outcomes were measured both before and after either of the educational formats.


RESULTS
Data from the formative evaluation were used to refine the content and functionality of the final resource. The questionnaire evaluation of 302 students over two years showed the multimedia resource to be equally effective as an oral educational presentation in facilitating participants' knowledge construction.


CONCLUSIONS
The resource offers a large number of potential benefits, which are not limited to the Tay Sachs disease carrier screening program setting, such as delivery of a consistent educational message, short delivery time, and minimum financial and resource commitment. This article outlines the value of considering educational theory and describes the process of multimedia development providing a framework that may be of value when designing genetics multimedia resources in general.
Gason
Alexandra A
AA
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia.
Aitken
MaryAnne
M
Delatycki
Martin B
MB
Sheffield
Edith
E
Metcalfe
Sylvia A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019212:Multimedia; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012574:Schools; D013661:Tay-Sachs Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics