Evaluation of Digital Laboratory Instruction by Outcomes Assessment

Student performance in anatomy and physiology is an important aspect of many science disciplines in undergraduate and graduate education. Use of computer models for anatomic instruction and physiology exercises is becoming increasingly popular. Our study assesses student experience objectively (student performance) and subjectively (student opinion) using both modalities. Student evaluation records and exam performance records were recorded over a seven semester period. These were divided into two groups: group 1 experienced primarily traditional methodology (cadaver dissection, physiology lab exercises) and group 2 experienced primarily digital lab exercises. The mean class test scores in group 1 was 74.2%, and group 2 was 79.8%. The average student evaluation scores were 2.86/3.00 in group 1, and 2.98/3.00 in group 2. By the Student “t” test on the binomial distribution, student performance was statistically different among the two groups when measured objectively, and student satisfaction was improved when assessed subjectively. These results suggest that use of computer software and hardware is an effective method of teaching human anatomy and physiology. Our results show it to be as effective and perhaps preferable to traditional cadaver based exercises in achieving course goals and objectives, and student satisfaction. This work was supported in part by a grant from the Hewlett‐Packard Corporation.