Abstract
Purpose: This study sought to assess the introduction of a web-based innovation in medical education that complements traditional problem-based learning curricula. Utilizing the case method as its fundamental educational approach, the Interactive Case-based Online Network (ICON) allows students to interact with each other, faculty and a virtual patient in difficult neurological cases. Given the paucity of available metrics to benchmark online systems, we complement user perceptions with data on system utilization. Methods: We describe a case study of distinct, small group tutorials over 2 years as part of the Human Nervous System and Behavior (HNSB) course at the Harvard Medical School. Participating students and faculty were interviewed following completion of the course and their utilization of the system was recorded and examined. Results: Students each spent 3.2±1.3 h (mean±SD) through 8.6±2.8 accessions per week using ICON outside of required tutorial time. Faculty each spent 4.8±3.4 h through 16.6±8.9 accessions per week on ICON. Students identified real-time engagement, stronger relationships with faculty, increased accountability to the tutorial group and self-selected pace as the most beneficial characteristics of the ICON-based tutorial in comparison to traditional problem based learning (PBL) tutorials. Faculty identified enhanced collaboration with students and more realistic student experiences as the most beneficial characteristics. Both students and faculty reported that limitations of ICON included increased time investment for faculty and increased reliance on good faculty mentorship. Conclusion: This is the first study of the ICON learning system in undergraduate medical education, a platform designed to facilitate collaboration outside of the classroom. Data on user perceptions and system utilization suggest that both faculty and students chose to adopt this online learning system as a means for collaboration. The study also outlines future avenues for research in assessing novel online technologies.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
D. Blumenthal (2002) ArticleTitleDoctors in a wired world: Can professionalism survive connectivity? Milbank Quarterly 80 525–546 Occurrence Handle10.1111/1468-0009.00021 Occurrence Handle12233248
Dewey, J. (1994). Thinking in education. In L.B. Barnes, C.R. Christensen & A.J. Hansen (eds.) 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
Educational Computing (2003). MyCourses Tutorial: A User Guide for Tutors; Using Educational Technology to Enhance Case-Based Learning.<http://mycourses.med.harvard.edu/ResCourses/ MyCourses/TutorialUserGuide.pdf>. Accessed 10/1/03. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Medical School.
D.M. Fleiszer N.H. Posel S.P Steacy (2004) ArticleTitleNew directions in medical e-curricula and the use of digital repositories Academic Medicine 79 229–235 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00001888-200403000-00006 Occurrence Handle14985195
R.H. Franke J.D Kaul (1978) ArticleTitleThe Hawthorne experiments: First statistical interpretation American Sociology Review 43 623–643
M.E. Frisse (1990) ArticleTitleThe case for hypermedia Academic Medicine 65 17–19 Occurrence Handle2403800
T.H. Glick E.G Armstrong (1996) ArticleTitleCrafting cases for problem-based learning: Experience in a neuroscience course Medical Education 30 24–30 Occurrence Handle8736185
T.H. Glick G.T Moore (2001) ArticleTitleTime to learn: The outlook for renewal of patient-centered education in the digital age Medical Education 35 505–509 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2923.2001.00935.x Occurrence Handle11328522
R.C. Hallgren P.E. Parkhurst C.L. Monson N.M Crewe (2002) ArticleTitleAn interactive, web-based tool for learning anatomic landmarks Academic Medicine 77 263–265 Occurrence Handle11891167
P.M. Heidger F. Dee D. Consoer T. Leaven J. Duncan C Kreiter (2002) ArticleTitleIntegrated approach to teaching and testing in histology with real and virtual imaging Anatomical Record 269 107–112 Occurrence Handle10.1002/ar.10078 Occurrence Handle12001217
W.R. Hersh K. Junium M. Mailhot P Tidmarsh (2001) ArticleTitleImplementation and evaluation of a medical informatics distance education program Journal of the American Informatics Association 8 570–584
National Education Agency (2002). Quality on the Line: Benchmarks for Success in Internet-based Distance Education.<www.ihep.com/Pubs/PDF/Quality.pdf>. Accessed 10/1/03. Washington, DC: National Education Association.
M.J. Parker J.L Seifter (2001) ArticleTitleAn interactive, ,web-based learning environment for pathophysiology Academic Medicine 76 550 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00001888-200105000-00094 Occurrence Handle11346600
J. Quattrochi S. Pasquale B. Cerva J.E Lester (2002) ArticleTitleLearning neuroscience: An interactive case-based online network (ICON) Journal of Science, Education and Technology 11 15–38
K. Shaffer (2004) ArticleTitleTeaching anatomy in the digitized world New England Journal of Medicine 351 1279–1281 Occurrence Handle10.1056/NEJMp048100 Occurrence Handle15385652
J. Swaak T Jong ParticleDe (2001) ArticleTitleLearner vs. system control in using online support for simulationbased discovery learning Learning Environment Research 4 217–41 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1014434804876
J. Vozenilek J.S. Huff M. Reznek J.A Gordon (2004) ArticleTitleSee one, do one, teach one: Advanced technology in medical education Academic Emergency Medicine 11 1149–1154 Occurrence Handle10.1197/j.aem.2004.08.003 Occurrence Handle15528578
E. Wenger (1996) ArticleTitleCommunities of practice: The social fabric of a learning organization Healthcare Forum Journal 39 20–26
Wenger, E. (2001). Supporting Communities of Practice: A Survey of Community-Oriented Technologies, Version 1.3. <http://www.ewenger.com/tech>. Accessed 3/11/02.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nathoo, A.N., Goldhoff, P. & Quattrochi, J.J. Evaluation of an Interactive Case-based Online Network (ICON) in a Problem Based Learning Environment. Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract 10, 215–230 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-005-7851-3
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-005-7851-3