Teaching electrocardiography: computer assisted learning vs lecture method.

This study investigated nursing students' responses to a basic electrocardiography computer assisted learning (CAL) program and a lecture on the same topic. There were no significant differences between the CAL and lecture groups on cognitive outcomes (measured by a 20 item test on electrocardiogram knowledge) or transfer of learning outcomes (measured in the clinical setting by the students' ability to identify and interpret six electrocardiogram tracings). However, CAL students displayed more positive affective responses. They also took between 10 and 32 minutes to complete the program while all lecture students took a mandatory 50 minutes or more.