title: Comparing live lecture, internet-based & computer-based instruction: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Comparing computer and internet based instruction with traditional giving lecture would provide enough evidence to identify best teaching practice. In this study, we compared lecture, interactive internet based and computer based learning regarding medical students' knowledge acquisition and satisfaction in teaching pathophysiology of hematology and oncology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty four medical students were randomized into three groups and an identical faculty member conducted the instructions through the above mentioned methods. Students' knowledge was assessed one week before and immediately after the interventions by pre and posttest. Students' satisfaction was assessed using a validated 5-point Likert scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that students' satisfaction was significantly higher in interactive internet based group than other ones (p=0.05). There were a significant increase between pre and posttest scores in all groups (p=0.000). We used ANCOVA to compare score changes in the study groups, with posttest scores as the dependent factor and pretest scores as covariate and knowledge acquisition was significantly higher in interactive internet based group than other two groups (p=0.026).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that although interactive internet based instruction is a difficult and time consuming method, it is recommended to integrate this method to medical curricula.
authors.affiliation: 1. MD, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, Virtual School, Department of E-Learning in Medical Education , Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. r_mojtahedzadeh@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mojtahedzadeh
authors.affiliation: 2. MD, MPH, PhD, Instructor, Virtual School, Department of E-Learning in Medical Education, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. aeen_mohammadi@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Aeen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: 3. MD, Associate Professor, School of Medicine & Educational Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. emamiami@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Amir Hossein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Emami
authors.affiliation: 4. MSc, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. samanerahmani@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Samaneh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rahmani
keywords: Computer based learning (CBL); Internet based teaching; Medical students; Traditional instruction