title: Effect of technology on student class performance and class absence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the effect of instructional technology availability on the performance of students enrolled in a medical physiology course at a podiatric medical school.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple linear regression analysis was used to predict student overall test performance based on instructional technology, Medical College Admission Test score, undergraduate grade point average, and class absence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The availability of instructional technology was associated with a small decline in mean test performance and a small increase in class absence. Class absence had a negative effect on test performance only when the technology was available. Total Medical College Admission Test score and grade point average were positively correlated with performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Instructional technology did not enhance absentee student course performance and, indeed, hurt it. Its use as a means of providing access to additional lecture material needs to be reevaluated.
authors.affiliation: Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Miami Shores, FL 33161, USA. ssesodia@mail.barry.edu
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sesodia
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Molnar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D018961:Educational Technology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine / Q000193:education*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult