Student laboratories as a component of a web-based curriculum.
OBJECTIVE
To enable place-bound working clinical laboratory technicians (CLTs) to benefit from hands-on student laboratory sessions taught in University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) facilities by UTMB professors.


METHODS
Weekend student laboratory sessions similar to "wet workshops" were implemented and integrated into regular coursework. Student laboratory sessions of 12 hours to 16 hours in length were provided.


METHODS
The UTMB student laboratories.


METHODS
Web-based education in Clinical Laboratory Science (WEBCLS) students who are working CLTs in rural place-bound situations.


METHODS
Course grades and certification examination scores on laboratory and comprehensive examinations given to both on-campus students and WEBCLS students.


RESULTS
Of 68 WEBCLS students enrolled in laboratory courses during the calendar years 2003, 2004, and 2005, 66.2% earned grades of A or B in the course compared with 64.2% of students enrolled in the same laboratory courses on-campus. Over a three year period, the WEBCLS students averaged 564.8 on certification exam scores, while on-campus students averaged 470.9.
St John
E Camellia
EC
Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1140, USA. cstjohn@utmb.edu
Kanuth
Michelle S
MS
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013334:Students