title: Learning from simple ebooks, online cases or classroom teaching when acquiring complex knowledge. A randomized controlled trial in respiratory physiology and pulmonology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  E-learning is developing fast because of the rapid increased use of smartphones, tablets and portable computers. We might not think of it as e-learning, but today many new e-books are in fact very complex electronic teaching platforms. It is generally accepted that e-learning is as effective as classroom teaching methods, but little is known about its value in relaying contents of different levels of complexity to students. We set out to investigate e-learning effects on simple recall and complex problem-solving compared to classroom teaching.
  
  
  METHODS
  63 nurses specializing in anesthesiology were evenly randomized into three groups. They were given internet-based knowledge tests before and after attending a teaching module about respiratory physiology and pulmonology. The three groups was either an e-learning group with eBook teaching material, an e-learning group with case-based teaching or a group with face-to-face case-based classroom teaching. After the module the students were required to answer a post-test. Time spent and the number of logged into the system was also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For simple recall, all methods were equally effective. For problem-solving, the eCase group achieved a comparable knowledge level to classroom teaching, while textbook learning was inferior to both (p<0.01). The textbook group also spent the least amount of time on acquiring knowledge (33 minutes, p<0.001), while the eCase group spent significantly more time on the subject (53 minutes, p<0.001) and logged into the system significantly more (2.8 vs 1.6, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-learning based cases are an effective tool for teaching complex knowledge and problem-solving ability, but future studies using higher-level e-learning are encouraged.Simple recall skills, however, do not require any particular learning method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Bispebjerg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bjarne Skjødt
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Worm
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D001877:Books; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning
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