DEVELOPMENT OF MICROCOMPUTER MODULES FOR A NONPRESCRIPTION DRUG COURSE AND STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED INSTRUCTION VS TRADITIONAL LECTURE PRESENTATION
Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) vs traditional lecture presentation (TLP) in teaching 118 baccalaureate pharmacy students about nonprescription drugs and the skills needed to counsel patients. The objectives for this research were to: (1) develop and evaluate four self-instructional CAI modules to teach segments of a course on nonprescription drugs, (2) determine if any differences in achievement exist for students using CAI and TLP as evidenced by examination scores, (3) determine if either instructional method had an effect on students' attitudes about computers, and (4) determine if any student demographic factors when considered along with instructional method have a relationship to achievement or attitudes. In this research, four interactive, self-instructional computer modules were designed to teach nine hours of material. The modules were programmed using Turbo Pascal language, BASIC and Turbo-Graphics. The modules were comprised of didactic information, case scenarios and graphics of nonprescription drug products. The design of the research was a randomized three-group pretest-posttest model. The 118 students who completed the project were randomly assigned to a TLP group or one of two CAI groups. The results of this research indicate that CAI can be as effective and more efficient as a traditional instructional modality in teaching both factual content and application of learned material when both methods use the same instructional content. Students' evaluations suggest that computer instruction should be extended to other pharmacy courses and to pharmacy continuing education. Students' attitudes towards computers in pharmacy education became more favorable. Finally, there were no differences in student demographic factors associated with their attitude or achievement when considered along with instructional method.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Pharmaceuticals
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