Surgical e-learning: validation of multimedia web-based lectures.
BACKGROUND
Distance learning has been advocated increasingly as a modern efficient method of teaching surgery. Efficiency of knowledge transfer and validity of web-based courses have not been subjected to rigorous study to date.


METHODS
An entirely web-based surgical 5-week lecture course was designed. Fifty per cent of the lectures were prepared as HTML slides with voice-over while the other group was presented in the text-only form. Only written material presented was examined. The lectures were presented via an educational web module. The lecture series was balanced specifically to reduce the pre-existent knowledge bias. Web usage was estimated utilising surrogates, including the number of hits as well as log-on timing. Face validity was assessed by a standardised questionnaire.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight students took part in the lecture series and subsequent examination and questionnaire. Median multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) marks were significantly higher in the aural lecture-derived stems versus the non-aural (P = 0.012, Mann-Whitney U-test). There was widespread approval of web-based learning as an adjunct to conventional teaching. Usage rates were augmented significantly in the final week when compared to the previous 4 weeks (mean total hits weeks 1-4 +/- SEM: 100.9 +/- 9.7 and mean total hits week 5: 152.1 +/- 13.1; P < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis). However, total hits did not correlate with overall examination results (r(2) = 0.16). The aural lectures demonstrated higher face validity than the non-aural for content and presentation (P < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis).


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of aural files to the novel web-based lecture series is face valid and results in significantly increased examination performance.
Ridgway
Paul F
PF
Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Sheikh
Athar
A
Sweeney
Karl J
KJ
Evoy
Denis
D
McDermott
Enda
E
Felle
Patrick
P
Hill
Arnold D
AD
O'Higgins
Niall J
NJ
D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000592:standards*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*; D019212:Multimedia / Q000592:standards*; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards*