Fritz writes

Internet Based Learning - Meta Analysis

It comes form an unlikely source, but this month’s Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) includes the publication of a meta analysis of Internet based learning in health professions.  The study, led by David Cook and assisted by 5 others, looked at 201 eligible studies.

“We sought to answer (1) to what extent is Internet -based instruction associated with improved outcomes in health professions learners compared with no intervention, and (2) how does Internet-based instruction compare with non-Internet instruction methods.”

The findings  showd Internet-based learning is effective.    But there is another gem buried deep in the article:

The last meta-analysis of computer assisted instruction in health professions were published in or before 1994.

As the comic news television personalty Jon Stewart says, “Whaaaaa?”

While meta analysis is tough to do, in a rapidly changing field, 14 years in a long time between studies.   A few things have changed in computer based instruction since 1994:

That was two years before Rick Smolan’s 24 Hours in Cyberspace, a year before the founding of Yahoo, and the year the Netscape 0.9 (formerly Mosaic ) was released.

Also in 1994, todays college freshmen were 4 years old.

Tags: meta analysis