A multimedia case based approach to the study of office ergonomics

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy education
• Multimedia learning technologies
• Human factors and ergonomics

Background:

• Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice is crucial in occupational therapy.
• Interactive multimedia can enhance problem-based learning (PBL) for health science students.
• Office ergonomics is a key area within occupational therapy practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and development of ErgoROM, an interactive CD-ROM program.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of ErgoROM for occupational therapy students studying office ergonomics.
• To assess the impact of ErgoROM on active learning and critical thinking skills.

Main Methods:

• Development of a CD-ROM program (ErgoROM) featuring a case study on office ergonomics.
• Pilot study involving occupational therapy students.
• Data collection through respondent ratings and qualitative feedback.

Main Results:

• 91% of respondents rated the ErgoROM program as "Excellent" or "Very Good".
• ErgoROM was reported to have a positive impact on active learning.
• Students indicated a positive effect on critical thinking development.

Conclusions:

• ErgoROM is a well-received multimedia tool for teaching office ergonomics.
• Interactive case studies can effectively enhance occupational therapy students' learning experience.
• Multimedia technology shows promise in improving clinical reasoning and practical skill acquisition.