Students' attitudes towards computer testing in a basic science course.

OBJECTIVES

The introduction of computerized testing offers several advantages for test administration, however, little research has examined students' attitudes toward computerized testing. This paper, reports the attitudes of 202 students in a first year cell biology and histology course toward computerized testing and its influence on their study habits over a three year period.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Multiple choice and image-based extra credit examinations and summative image-based examinations have been successfully administered in the course. The results indicate that students readily accept computer exams and that their study habits were influenced in a positive manner by the computer administered extra-credit examinations.

RESULTS

Our results provide further evidence that medical students like the use of computer administered examinations and that the examinations may actually accentuate the learning experience.