Meta‐analysis and review of learner performance and preference: virtual versus optical microscopy

作者：Adam B. Wilson, Melissa Taylor, Barbie A. Klein, Megan K. Sugrue, Elizabeth C. Whipple, James Joseph Brokaw · 发表于：Medical Education · 年份：2016 · DOI：10.1111/medu.12944 · 被引用次数：53 · 研究领域：Image Processing Techniques and Applications、Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes、Cell Image Analysis Techniques

CONTEXT: Over nearly two decades, a wealth of literature describing the various capabilities, uses and adaptations of virtual microscopy (VM) has been published. Many studies have investigated the effects on and benefits to student learning of VM compared with optical microscopy (OM). OBJECTIVES: This study statistically aggregated the findings of multiple comparative studies through a meta-analysis in order to summarise and substantiate the pedagogical efficacy of teaching with VM. METHODS: Using predefined eligibility criteria, teams of paired researchers screened the titles and abstracts of VM studies retrieved from seven different databases. After two rounds of screening, numerical and thematic data were extracted from the eligible studies for analysis. A summary effect size and estimate of heterogeneity were calculated to determine the effects of VM on learner performance and the amount of variance between studies, respectively. Trends in student perceptions were also analysed and reported. RESULTS: Of the 725 records screened, 72 studies underwent full-text review. In total, 12 studies were viable for meta-analysis and additional studies were reviewed to extract themes relating to learners' perceptions of VM. The meta-analysis detected a small yet significant positive effect on learner performance (standardised mean difference 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.09-0.47; p = 0.003), indicating that learners experience marked knowledge gains when exposed to VM over OM. Varia...