Enseñanza a distancia no presencial asistida por computador comparada con semi presencial basada en texto.

Background: Recent Medical Education tendencies encourage the use of methodologies that allow the development of independent study, like computer assisted learning. Objective: evaluate the use of a computer assisted distance education program in second year students of Obstetrics and Puericulture career. Method: On the ground of common objectives there was established a control group (CG) which developed the program based on text, audiovisual support and tutorials, and an experimental group (EG) that used the distance computerized program. Assessment was performed through cognitive tests, seminaries and opinion surveys (Likert type). Results: Performance was significantly better en EG compared with CG (71.85 vs. 67.70 in a 1 to 100 scale, p<0.05). Analyzing the opinion survey it was noticed that 95% of the EG considered that materials allowed them to achieve objectives in comparison with 60.86% in the CG. The 100% of the EG agreed that materials clarified contents but only the 73.91% of the CG. The 95% of the EG agreed that methodology was good, useful, motivating, integrative and facilitated learning in contrast with a 60% in the CG. In relation with professor-student relation, 76% of the CG v/s 95-100% EG perceived a nice relation, enthusiasm and concern from the tutors about learning. The 90.48% of the EG considered that assessment instruments were concordant with contents, in contrast with 65.21% in the CG. In other consulted fields, similar values were obtained in both groups. Conclusions: we can conclude that academic performance and degree of acceptance were significantly higher with the use of the innovative methodology.