Advances in Physiology Education, Vol 272, Issue 6 1-14, Copyright © 1997 by American Physiological Society
Use of World Wide Web server and browser software to support a first-year medical physiology course
M. J. Davis, J. Wythe, J. S. Rozum and R. W. Gore
Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A & M University Health Science Center, College Station 77843, USA.
We describe the use of a World Wide Web (Web) server to support a
team-taught physiology course for first-year medical students. Our
objectives were to reduce the number of formal lecture hours and enhance
student enthusiasm by using more multimedia materials and creating
opportunities for interactive learning. On-line course materials,
consisting of administrative documents, lecture notes, animations, digital
movies, practice tests, and grade reports, were placed on a departmental
computer with an Internet connection. Students used Web browsers to access
on-line materials from a variety of computing platforms on campus, at home,
and at remote sites. To assess use of the materials and their
effectiveness, we analyzed 1) log files from the server, and 2) the results
of a written course evaluation completed by all students. Lecture notes and
practice tests were the most-used documents. The students' evaluations
indicated that computer use in class made the lecture material more
interesting, while the on-line documents helped reinforce lecture materials
and the textbook. We conclude that the effectiveness of on-line materials
depends on several different factors, including 1) the number of
instructors that provide materials; 2) the quantity of other materials
handed out; 3) the degree to which computer use is demonstrated in class
and integrated into lectures; and 4) the ease with which students can
access the materials. Finally, we propose that additional implementation of
Internet-based resources beyond what we have described would further
enhance a physiology course for first-year medical students.
