title: Academic performance and comparative effectiveness of computer- and textbook-based self-instruction.
abstract: We intended to clarify the influence of student academic ability on the effectiveness of CAI, using data of a study to assess the effectiveness of a new type of CAI software, cyberPatient (CP), at Kochi Medical School (KMS). A total of 59 third-year students were randomly assigned to four groups: Group-1 used a textbook for self-instruction, Group-2 used CP, Group-3 used both types of learning materials, and Group-4 did not learn. Learning performance was evaluated by multiple-choice examination and OSCE. In order to clarify the influence of students' academic ability on the effectiveness of CAI, statistical analyses were conducted, assigning students as either high or medium or low performance students. High performance students from Group-1, -2 and -3 did not differ significantly in test performance after self-instruction. However, low performance students in Group-1 scored significantly lower than those in Group-2 and -3. All students in Group-2 and -3 reported that CP stimulated willingness to learn and assisted understanding. The present analysis suggested that effectiveness of CAI might be associated with the academic ability of students.
authors.affiliation: Center of Medical Information Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan. kuri-hary@med.kochi-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuramoto
authors.forename: Kimio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.forename: Yoichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miki
authors.forename: Katsushi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oda
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Teruaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watabe
authors.forename: A Karim
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Qayumi
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D010808:Physical Examination; D011380:Programmed Instructions as Topic; D013782:Textbooks as Topic