Clayden G S, Wilson B
United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
Med Educ. 1988 Sep;22(5):456-67.
The advent of cheap and powerful micros has opened the possibility of computer-assisted learning (CAL) in medical education. This article attempts to demonstrate the educational value of CAL, with illustrations of its use. Four styles of CAL are examined, and the danger of trivializing the learning process discussed. The ultimate CAL package which enables students to take charge of their own learning is considered. There are considerable advantages in distance learning, self-assessment, computer-marked examinations and 'audit'. Some of the main problems are considered; these are decisions which must be taken about the choice of hardware and software. The use of various peripheral devices such as slide projectors and videodisc players greatly enhances the value of CAL material, as do alternative input devices. Some thought is given to software style in the presentation of material, and also to the question of the keeping of student records. The use of an author language facilitates program development, and the construction of content-free 'shell' programs enables new material to be added to existing frameworks. Other advantages of CAL include student access to JANET and the possibility of on-line searching of databases. CAL in medical education can help to liberate students from the burden of the rote learning of facts, and enhance the role of reason and imagination in the learning process.
价格低廉且功能强大的微型计算机的出现，为医学教育中的计算机辅助学习（CAL）带来了可能性。本文试图通过举例说明CAL的用途，来展示其教育价值。文中考察了四种CAL模式，并讨论了使学习过程流于表面的风险。文中还考虑了能让学生自主学习的终极CAL软件包。远程学习、自我评估、计算机评分考试和“审计”都有相当大的优势。文中考虑了一些主要问题，即必须就硬件和软件的选择做出决定。使用各种外围设备，如幻灯片放映机和视频光盘播放机，以及其他输入设备，都能极大地提高CAL材料的价值。文中还思考了材料呈现中的软件风格问题，以及学生记录保存的问题。使用创作语言便于程序开发，构建无内容的“框架”程序能在现有框架中添加新材料。CAL的其他优势包括学生可使用JANET以及在线搜索数据库的可能性。医学教育中的CAL有助于将学生从死记硬背事实的负担中解放出来，并增强理性和想象力在学习过程中的作用。
