BACKGROUND: Little is known about strategies for developing teaching cases and strategies for identifying design features that optimize a learner's interactions with Web-based cases. PURPOSES: We examined design features in Web cases that facilitated interactive and engaging learning. METHODS: Nine collaborators reviewed selected Web cases and documented the presence of features that facilitate interactive learning, including opportunities for information gathering, decision making, and receiving feedback. RESULTS: Eighteen Web sites offered cases. These cases mainly were narrated based on biomedical information without patient voices. The cases were organized in a linear structure from patient presentation to follow-up. Many cases presented only a single case. We found little use of features for augmenting a learner's interaction with cases. Only a handful of cases generated feedback on the basis of the learners' responses. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests ways to improve the development of Web cases. These methods contribute to future research in testing cases for educational effectiveness.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about strategies for developing teaching cases and strategies for identifying design features that optimize a learner's interactions with Web-based cases. PURPOSES: We examined design features in Web cases that facilitated interactive and engaging learning. METHODS: Nine collaborators reviewed selected Web cases and documented the presence of features that facilitate interactive learning, including opportunities for information gathering, decision making, and receiving feedback. RESULTS: Eighteen Web sites offered cases. These cases mainly were narrated based on biomedical information without patient voices. The cases were organized in a linear structure from patient presentation to follow-up. Many cases presented only a single case. We found little use of features for augmenting a learner's interaction with cases. Only a handful of cases generated feedback on the basis of the learners' responses. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests ways to improve the development of Web cases. These methods contribute to future research in testing cases for educational effectiveness.
Authors: Waqas R Shaikh; Alan Geller; Gwen Alexander; Maryam M Asgari; Gunther J Chanange; Stephen Dusza; Melody J Eide; Suzanne W Fletcher; Jacqueline M Goulart; Allan C Halpern; Shoshana Landow; Ashfaq A Marghoob; Elizabeth A Quigley; Martin A Weinstock Journal: J Cancer Educ Date: 2012-12 Impact factor: 2.037