Teaching pathology in the 21st century: assessment of required student use of interactive videodiscs designed to teach basic pathology.

A series of 11 computer-controlled optical videodisc modules in basic medical pathology was developed to be used as self-study materials. There are approximately 70 medical schools in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, and Europe currently participating in field testing this series. In the fall of 1988, second-year medical students at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine used five of these modules in place of traditional lectures during the pathology course. A pretest was administered to students prior to use of modules. Each student then used the interactive modules for individual study. Each module presented a brief pretest, an interactive study lesson, and a posttest, each of which generated a score for the student. In addition, after completion of all five modules, students were given a posttest which was included in their first scheduled course examination. At the end of the course, questions concerning the videodisc material were presented on the final exam to test long-term retention. Students also completed attitudinal questionnaires about their experience using the videodisc modules. Results of the data collected indicate significant improvement in knowledge base by students using these interactive videodisc modules. Analysis of student attitudinal reactions was also positive. Optical videodisc computer-directed learning appears to be well-suited for medical student instruction in pathology.