title: A massive open online course (MOOC) can be used to teach physiotherapy students about spinal cord injuries: a randomised trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Does a massive open online course (MOOC) based around an online learning module about spinal cord injuries improve knowledge or confidence among physiotherapy students more than if physiotherapy students are left to work through the online learning module at their own pace. Which method of presenting the content leads to greater satisfaction among the students?
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight physiotherapy students in Bangladesh.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants randomised to the control group were instructed to work at their own pace over a 5-week period through a physiotherapy-specific online learning module available at www.elearnSCI.org. Experimental participants were enrolled in a 5-week MOOC. The MOOC involved completing the same online learning module but experimental participants' progress through the module was guided each week and they were provided with the opportunity to engage in online discussion through Facebook.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was knowledge, and the secondary outcomes were perceived confidence to treat people with spinal cord injuries and satisfaction with the learning experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean between-group difference for knowledge was 0.7 points (95% CI -1.3 to 2.6) on a 0 to 20-point scale. The equivalent results for perceived confidence and satisfaction with the learning experience were 0.4 points (95% CI -1.0 to 1.8) and 0.0 points (95% CI -1.1 to 1.2) on a 0 to 10-point scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MOOC was no better for students than working at their own pace through an online learning module for increasing knowledge, confidence or satisfaction. However, students in the MOOC group highlighted positive aspects of the course that were unique to their group, such as interacting with students from other countries through the MOOC Facebook group.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12614000422628.
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed; Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, the Academic Institute of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, Savar, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Mohammad S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.affiliation: Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, the Academic Institute of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, Savar, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shofiqul Islam
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Kolling Institute, Sydney Medical School/Northern, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Joanne V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Glinsky
authors.affiliation: Physiopedia, London, UK.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: Physiopedia, London, UK.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Kolling Institute, Sydney Medical School/Northern, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D001459:Bangladesh; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009862:Online Systems; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000193:education*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education*; D060756:Social Networking; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Clinical trials; Methodology; Rehabilitation; Spinal cord injury