Computer-assisted instruction in orthopedic biomechanics.

A computer-aided instructional (CAI) course in biomechanics was developed at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. This was used by our residents in preparation for the 1984 OITE. The course was developed on a 256K IBM personal computer with a color graphics board and color monitor. The course requires about 6 hours of user time to complete. The program was written in the Basic computer language and consists of a master and teaching program. The master program keeps track of the name of the user and his or her progress. The teaching program contains the chapters of biomechanical concepts with a quiz after each chapter. The chapters present the basic concepts of biomechanics with interactive color graphics. The quizzes contain about 20 board-type questions. Six residents voluntarily used the CAI and nine residents chose not to use the CAI. There was no difference in the two groups' outside reading of biomechanical texts or other methods of study. There was no statistical difference between the two groups 1983 OITE biomechanics score. There was also no statistical change in the nonusers' score from 1983 to 1984. The users, however, showed a statistically significant improvement (p less than .05) from the previous year. We conclude that with the wide use of properly developed CAI is an effective and efficient method to provide education for orthopedists.