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E-learning optimization: the relative and combined effects of mental practice and modeling on enhanced podcast-based learning—a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Enhanced podcasts increase learning, but evidence is lacking on how they should be designed to optimize their effectiveness. This study assessed the impact two learning instructional design methods (mental practice and modeling), either on their own or in combination, for teaching complex cognitive medical content when incorporated into enhanced podcasts. Sixty-three medical students were randomised to one of four versions of an airway management enhanced podcast: (1) control: narrated presentation; (2) modeling: narration with video demonstration of skills; (3) mental practice: narrated presentation with guided mental practice; (4) combined: modeling and mental practice. One week later, students managed a manikin-based simulated airway crisis. Knowledge acquisition was assessed by baseline and retention multiple-choice quizzes. Two blinded raters assessed all videos obtained from simulated crises to measure the students’ skills using a key-elements scale, critical error checklist, and the Ottawa global rating scale (GRS). Baseline knowledge was not different between all four groups (p = 0.65). One week later, knowledge retention was significantly higher for (1) both the mental practice and modeling group than the control group (p = 0.01; p = 0.01, respectively) and (2) the combined mental practice and modeling group compared to all other groups (all ps = 0.01). Regarding skills acquisition, the control group significantly under-performed in comparison to all other groups on the key-events scale (all ps ≤ 0.05), the critical error checklist (all ps ≤ 0.05), and the Ottawa GRS (all ps ≤ 0.05). The combination of mental practice and modeling led to greater improvement on the key events checklist (p = 0.01) compared to either strategy alone. However, the combination of the two strategies did not result in any further learning gains on the two other measures of clinical performance (all ps > 0.05). The effectiveness of enhanced podcasts for knowledge retention and clinical skill acquisition is increased with either mental practice or modeling. The combination of mental practice and modeling had synergistic effects on knowledge retention, but conveyed less clear advantages in its application through clinical skills.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Roger Chow and Agnes Ryzynski for their great support in the data collection for this study. They have both given written confirmation for this acknowledgement.

Funding

This work was supported by: (1) Education Initiatives in Residency Education Grant (EIRE)—Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada: Funds were used for data collection, specifically to purchase technological equipment such as Apple iPads. Funds were used to cover expenses incurred presenting preliminary results at the annual Association for Medical Education (AMEE) conference in August 2012. (2) Allan Waters Patient Family Simulation Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada, and the Anaesthesia Departments at The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada and the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.: Funds provided were used for data collection, specifically for simulation time only.

Author contributions

FA: Study design, conduct, recruitment, data collection, management, analysis and interpretation, first draft of manuscript and subsequent edits. SB: Study design, analysis and interpretation, and manuscript edits. DP: Study design, and manuscript edits. AL: Rating videos and manuscript edits. CP: Rating videos and manuscript edits. VL: Study design, analysis and interpretation, and manuscript edits.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Room M3200, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada

    Fahad Alam

  2. Department of Anaesthesia and Department of Innovation in Medical Innovation, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada

    Sylvain Boet

  3. Department of Critical Care, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada

    Dominique Piquette

  4. Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, 1053 Carling Avenue, E-Main, Room EM-206, Box 227, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4E9, Canada

    Anita Lai

  5. The Wilson Centre for Research in Education, 200 Elizabeth Street, 1ES-565, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada

    Fahad Alam & Dominique Piquette

  6. Department of Innovation in Medical Education and University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, RGN 2211, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada

    Vicki R. LeBlanc

  7. Belleville General Hospital, 265 Dundas Street East, Belleville, ON, K8N 5A9, Canada

    Christopher P. Perkes

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  1. Fahad Alam
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  2. Sylvain Boet
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Correspondence to Fahad Alam.

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Appendix: Mental practice think aloud script

Appendix: Mental practice think aloud script

  1. 1.

    From the perspective that you are holding them in your hand, please describe the types of non-invasive supplemental oxygen therapies and differences between each? What do you see and feel that differentiates them?

  2. 2.

    In the first person, as you approach the patient, take me through your approach and decision making process of an awake patient with stridor?

  3. 3.

    From the perspective that you are holding them in your hand, please describe the types of airway adjuncts and differences between each? When would you choose one over the other?

  4. 4.

    In the first person, please describe how you would insert each airway adjunct from start to finish.

  5. 5.

    You are the medical student on-call, you enter a room and the patient has a pulse but is not responsive. In the first person, describe how you would approach the patient and the decision-making behind your management. Take note of what you see, feel and hear.

  6. 6.

    As if you are physically doing it, describe the correct steps in bag mask ventilation and what you will look to see, feel and hear as feedback for successful technique.

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Alam, F., Boet, S., Piquette, D. et al. E-learning optimization: the relative and combined effects of mental practice and modeling on enhanced podcast-based learning—a randomized controlled trial. Adv in Health Sci Educ 21, 789–802 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-016-9666-9

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