Does a high tech (computerized, animated, PowerPoint) presentation increase retention of material compared to a low tech (black on clear overheads) presentation?
BACKGROUND
Computerized digital presentations have become standard in most medical schools without research proving their effectiveness.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to determine if differences in (a) subjective evaluation; (b) short-term retention of material; and (c) long-term retention of material occurred with the use of static overheads versus computerized, animated PowerPoint for a presentation to medical students.


METHODS
All students rotating on a required clerkship attended a standard lecture presented by 1 faculty member. The content of the presentation remained the same, but the instructional media varied (overheads on even months, animated PowerPoint on odd months). Students completed a posttest and subjective evaluation immediately following the lecture and repeated the posttest 1 year later. Unpaired t tests were used to compare the 2 groups.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the groups on any parameter.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, students rated both types of presentation equally and displayed no differences in short- or long-term retention of material.
Ricer
Rick E
RE
Department of Family Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0582, USA. Rick.Ricer@UC.EDU
Filak
Andrew T
AT
Short
James
J
D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D006801:Humans; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States