Learning objects: resources for instruction.
OBJECTIVE
Upon completion of this article, the reader will be able to describe learning objects (LOs) and discuss their use in clinical laboratory sciences instruction.


METHODS
Through a questionnaire, educators evaluated clinical laboratory sciences-related LOs for accessibility, usability and instructional qualities.


METHODS
LOs were presented on a password-accessed website. Evaluations were completed on the website.


METHODS
Nine educators participated in the evaluation.


METHODS
The LOs were made available to participants for use in their own instructional material.


METHODS
The evaluation measured educators' interest in and perceived usefulness of LOs in clinical laboratory sciences curriculum.


RESULTS
On a scale of one to five with one equal to poor and five equal to excellent, participants rated LOs as accessible (4.68) and usable (4.61). Ninety-eight percent stated that they would use LOs in their curriculum. Fifty-seven percent stated that they could attribute improved learning performance on student exposure to LOs.


CONCLUSIONS
LOs are useful, relevant, and time-saving resources to clinical laboratory sciences instruction.
Brickell
Jean
J
Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1140, USA. jebricke@utmb.edu
Kanuth
Michelle
M
Freeman
Vicki
V
Latshaw
Sandra
S
Larson
Carol
C
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D020407:Internet; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods