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Computerized student testing as a learning tool in a family practice clerkship
1Department of Family Practice, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Family Medicine
|January 1, 1994
Summary
A computerized testing system improved family medicine education, showing immediate learning gains and positive student reception. While scores improved with testing, long-term learning effects require further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Family Medicine
- Educational Technology
Background:
- A computerized multiple-choice testing system was developed for family medicine core content.
- The system was implemented during a junior clerkship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate a novel computerized testing system.
- To assess its effectiveness in teaching family medicine core content.
Main Methods:
- Students completed pretests and then answered 10 randomly generated questions per content area.
- Immediate feedback on scores and correct answers was provided to students.
- A minimum of 10 content areas were assessed per student.
Main Results:
- 192 students took 10,184 computerized tests across 10 content areas.
- Student scores significantly improved with successive testing.
- Computerized test scores correlated with final clerkship examination performance.
- Students reported positive acceptance of the system.
Conclusions:
- The computerized testing system facilitated immediate knowledge acquisition.
- The impact of the system on long-term learning remains uncertain.
- Further research is needed to ascertain sustained educational benefits.