Abstract
Background: This study
aims to design and produce electronic content of a microbiology course for
students in AJA (Islamic Republic of Iran Army) University of Medical Sciences
based on Gagne's instructional design model and determine its effectiveness.
Methods: This is a
quasi-experimental study. All medical students studying in the 2014-2015
academic year in AJA University of Medical Sciences who had taken the
microbiology course were entered in the study. Students were divided randomly
into two groups, control and trial (16 subjects in each). After designing and
producing the educational multimedia, the trial group was trained in concepts
of the microbiology course using multimedia educational software during 6
sessions over 6 continuous weeks. Finally, they were given post-test questions
to determine the educational progress level among the students.
Results: The mean ±
standard deviation for pre-test and post-test in the trial group were 4.44 ±
1.99 and 12.75 ± 1.06, respectively, and in the control group they were 3.75 ±
2.32 and 9.31 ± 1.25, respectively. The results of the analysis of covariance
between adjusted means of both groups for variable of learning show a
significant difference between the two groups (F(29,1)= 65.69; P=0.001). The
effect size was 0.69.
Conclusion: The
multimedia software produced in AJA University of Medical Sciences can be used
as a proper educational instrument for teaching the microbiology courses. So,
it is better to incorporate the multimedia method as a part of education into
curriculum of universities, especially medical sciences universities.
Keywords: e-learning,
Gagne's instructional design, model, Education, Army, microbiology course